Jack Grealish returns, Erling Haaland and John Stones on the bench – Predicted XI: Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City will travel to Nottingham to take on a struggling Forest side as Pep Guardiola’s men look to continue their charge towards a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

After an emphatic win on the south coast against Brighton during the week, City will look to build on the momentum as they close in on Premier League leaders Arsenal. The Blues sit just one point behind the Gunners, though the Etihad outfit have a game in hand.

It was a fixture that troubled Manchester City last season, as their trip to The City Ground nearly derailed their Premier League title push when they drew 1-1 in a game they dominated throughout.

They will hope for a better result this time around as five more wins would guarantee the title for Manchester City, a fourth consecutive, a feat which no Premier League club has accomplished previously.

Ahead of the showdown with Nottingham Forest, let’s take a look at how Pep Guardiola could set his side up!

Predicted XI

Ederson will be in goal as he normally is when fit.

Meanwhile in the back-four, Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol excelled against Brighton Thursday evening in the two full-back slots and should retain their spots as a result.

While John Stones has been City’s best centre-back for some time, his fitness has been an issue which leads us to the belief that Manuel Akanji will join Ruben Dias in the middle of the defence.

Into midfield, Rodri will take up his usual spot at the base of engine room, pulling the strings and shielding the back-four.

While Mateo Kovacic was in fine form against Brighton this week, Pep Guardiola may choose to bring in another attacker, so Bernardo Silva will join Rodri in midfield.

Out on the flanks, Jack Grealish should return to the line-up after a rest on the south coast, while Phil Foden will take up the right-wing.

That leaves the talismanic Kevin De Bruyne to lead the charge centrally after a superb showing at the Amex.

Erling Haaland returned to the training on Friday, but there are still doubts that he will be fit for the trip to Nottingham; Julian Alvarez should retain his spot in the striker role as a result.

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Foden, De Bruyne; Bernardo, Alvarez, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ortega, Lewis, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Nunes, Doku, Bobb, Haaland.