Nottingham Forest are facing the prospect of causing a huge upset when they travel to the Etihad to face treble winners Manchester City tomorrow afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s side have continued their ruthless run, winning all five Premier League games so far this campaign, conceding just three goals in the process.
Meanwhile, Steve Cooper’s side are sat in eighth place after a solid start to the 2023/24 season.
The Reds picked up a point last time out against Burnley after a brilliant strike from Callum Hudson-Odoi secured Cooper’s side a valuable point.
Predicted XI to face Manchester City
After switching to a 4-2-3-1 against Burnley on Monday night, we think Cooper will revert to a back five as the Reds travel to face the reigning Premier League champions.
Defence
Matt Turner looks set to continue between the sticks, after another good performance on Monday night.
Cooper looks set to switch to a back three, with Moussa Niakhate and Willy Boly returning to the starting eleven to partner Joe Worrall.
Ola Aina will continue out of position at left wing-back after his great start to life at the club following his free transfer from Torino.
Serge Aurier hasn’t featured since the Chelsea victory but could return at right wing-back this afternoon.
Midfield
We think Cooper will play a three-man central midfield to combat the inverted wing-back system implemented by Guardiola.
Ibrahim Sangare made his debut against Burnley earlier in the week, with the £30 million man set to start once again today.
Sangare was partnered by Orel Mangala that day, with the Belgian expected to partner the Ivorian once again this afternoon.
Ryan Yates was unlucky to start on the bench against Vincent Kompany’s side, but we think he could return to the starting lineup again today.
Attack
We think Morgan Gibbs-White will be utilised as a deep-lying forward ahead of the midfield to try and create opportunities for the Reds on the counter-attack.
He will be sat behind the lone striker of Taiwo Awoniyi who will be looking to add to his tally of three goals so far this campaign.
Predicted XI: Turner; Aurier, Niakhate, Worrall, Boly, Aina; Sangare, Mangala, Yates; Gibbs-White, Awoniyi
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