Struggling Manchester City host Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium in a pivotal Premier League clash. The match kicks off at 1:15 AM Nepal Time on Thursday, December 5.
Pep Guardiola’s City, winless in their last seven matches across all competitions, are in uncharted territory as they attempt to salvage their season. Meanwhile, Forest, just a point behind City in the table, comes into the game buoyed by a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Match Details
- Date: December 5, 2024
- Time: 1:15 AM NST
- Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- VAR: Peter Bankes
Manchester City Team News and Predicted Lineup
City will look to shake off their recent slump but will once again be without key players like John Stones and Mateo Kovacic due to muscle injuries. Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain long-term absentees. However, Kevin De Bruyne may return to the starting XI alongside the likes of Jeremy Doku and Savinho.
Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):
Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Nunes; Savinho, De Bruyne, Grealish, Doku; Haaland
Nottingham Forest Team News and Predicted Lineup
Forest will rely on Chris Wood to lead the line after his match-winning performance against Ipswich. They will miss Danilo, who is sidelined with a broken leg, while Ibrahim Sangare remains doubtful. Anthony Elanga could return to the starting XI, adding pace and creativity to their counter-attacking play.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Anderson, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Match Analysis and Score Prediction
Manchester City’s decline has been shocking, with their once-dominant attack struggling for goals and their defense proving vulnerable. Nottingham Forest, under Nuno Espírito Santo, are the perfect foil for City’s possession-heavy style, with their solid backline and swift counter-attacks posing a significant threat.
A subdued and tactical affair could be on the cards, with Forest well-equipped to frustrate City.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Nottingham Forest
How to Watch in Nepal
Fans in Nepal can stream the match via platforms such as Amazon Prime Video or Peacock (using VPN services where necessary).
