Nottingham vs Manchester City prediction
The Premier League returns to action on Saturday, 27 December 2025, when Nottingham Forest host Manchester City at the City Ground (kick-off 15:30 GMT+3). This Matchday 18 fixture pits a Forest side under Sean Dyche that sits precariously in 17th position with 18 points against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who lie second in the table on 37 points. The contrast in form, squad depth and recent results makes this an intriguing encounter for supporters and bettors alike. The two clubs met most recently with Manchester City securing a 2:0 away victory, and in their last five encounters across all competitions, City hold the advantage with four wins to Forest’s one.
EPL predictions give you reviews of the matches with a limited scoreline to ease any challenges in determining who is going to score next.
Main Betting tip: Under 3.5 goals
The principal betting tip is that the match will produce under 3.5 goals. While Manchester City are capable of high-scoring performances, matches at the City Ground under a conservative and disciplined manager such as Sean Dyche often become tightly contested affairs. Forest’s recent form includes a mixture of narrow results, and Dyche’s tactical emphasis on structure and low-risk defending may limit the overall goal count. Additionally, City’s pragmatic approach in away fixtures—particularly during congested schedules—can sometimes lead to efficient but low-scoring victories rather than goal fests.
Betting Tip 2: Man City Win
Our second betting prediction is an away victory for Manchester City. Manchester City arrive at the City Ground with a superior points total (37) and a markedly better goal difference (41:16) than Nottingham Forest (17:26). Pep Guardiola’s side have recorded 12 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats this season and travel with a strong recent run of form — five wins in their last five matches across all competitions — including a 3:0 home win in their most recent outing. By contrast, Forest sit 17th with five wins, three draws, and nine defeats, and their defensive record (26 goals conceded) will be tested by City’s attacking quality.
Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest have shown resilience in pockets, particularly at home, where they have collected three wins, one draw, and four defeats, but the gulf in quality and depth between the squads makes the away victory the most probable outcome.
Betting Tip 3: Both teams score? Yes
The final betting tip is that both teams will score (BTTS: Yes). Nottingham Forest have scored 17 goals this season and, despite their defensive vulnerabilities, possess attacking threats capable of finding the net against even top opposition. Conversely, Manchester City’s attack has been prolific (41 goals) and, although strong defensively, they are rarely blanked. Moreover, in their recent head-to-head fixtures and general encounters with top sides, Forest have managed to register goals even when losing. Given Nottingham’s capacity to convert chances at home and City’s tendency to push forward, the likelihood of both teams scoring is significant.
BTTS prediction has more details on games that will have goals on both sides of the pitch.
Statistics for Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City
Nottingham Forest team news!
Nottingham Forest currently sit 17th in the Premier League table with 18 points from 17 matches, having recorded five wins, three draws and nine defeats. They have scored 17 goals and conceded 26. At the City Ground their home record stands at three wins, one draw and four defeats. Sean Dyche’s side have shown glimpses of resilience, evidenced by three wins in their last five matches across all competitions, but consistency has been an issue. Forest’s recent immediate result was a 0:1 away loss to Fulham, which highlights ongoing challenges in converting opportunities and maintaining defensive solidity against mid-table opposition.
Manchester City team news!
Manchester City are second in the Premier League with 37 points, achieved through 12 wins, one draw and four defeats, and they boast an impressive goal tally of 41 scored against 16 conceded. Their away record this season reads four wins, one draw and three defeats. Under Pep Guardiola, City have been in scintillating form, winning their last five matches in all competitions, including a 3:0 victory over West Ham in their most recent outing. Guardiola’s tactical flexibility and the squad’s depth make City formidable opponents on any day.
H2H statistics
In the last five meetings between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City across all competitions, Forest have registered one win while Manchester City have claimed four victories; there were no draws among those five matches. The most recent direct meeting ended in a 2:0 away win for Manchester City, underlining City’s recent dominance in the fixture.
Last results Nottingham Forest
Over the last five matches across all competitions Nottingham Forest have registered three wins and two defeats, with no draws. This run suggests pockets of improved attacking efficacy but also episodes of vulnerability that have led to defeats. The immediate prior result was a narrow away loss to Fulham (0:1), and the current form can be described as inconsistent but capable of positive outcomes when the team executes Dyche’s tactical plan effectively.
Last results Manchester City
Manchester City are in outstanding recent form, having recorded five wins, zero draws and zero defeats in their last five matches across all competitions. This run includes a convincing 3:0 home victory over West Ham in their most recent fixture. The current form is emphatic and demonstrates both attacking potency and defensive reliability.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Manchester City resume their season as clear favourites to secure three points at the City Ground. The combination of superior league position, a markedly better goal difference, sustained winning momentum (five consecutive wins), and the tactical acumen of Pep Guardiola underpin this assessment. Nottingham Forest, led by Sean Dyche, possesses the capacity to make the match competitive at home and to find the net, which supports the secondary recommendation that both teams will score. However, the most probable final outcome, given the available data, is a narrow away victory for Manchester City — a result we project as seeing no more than 3 goals in this match.
To summarise our formal betting advice: main betting prediction — Under 3.5 Goals, Away win Manchester City (Tip 2, best supplied odd 1.64 at 1xBet); final tip — Both teams to score? Yes (best supplied odd 1.67 at 1xBet).
