Guardiola analyses ‘impressive’ Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says Nottingham Forest have done many things well to find themselves third in the Premier League at this stage of the season.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have 48 points from 27 games and sit one point ahead of the defending champions ahead of Saturday’s 12:30 (UK) clash at the City Ground.

It’s a match that could go a long way to helping the victor secure Champions League football next season, while a crowded chasing pack will be waiting to make the most of any dropped points.

Ahead of this match, Guardiola was full of praise for Forest and the way they have sustained their form this far into the campaign.

“When you are third in the table after eight, 10 fixtures, okay,” he said.

“But when you are there with 11 games left it and still you are third, it’s because you have done really, really well.

“You cannot be there unless you have done good things. Impressive, I would say.

“[They are] really compact and aggressive on transitions.

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“The four upfront are really good and create many things. Hudson-Odoi, Elanga, Wood, Gibbs-White exceptional players, good keeper, experienced defenders.

“Full-backs can play both sides. Physical team in the middle, Anderson is a top player as well.

“That’s why they are third. Otherwise could not be there when you are playing the last part of the season.

The top four in the Premier League are guaranteed to enter next year’s Champions League, with a potential for fifth in the division to also make it depending on where England ranks in UEFA’s coefficient system.

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With everyone down to 10th within five points of City, there are plenty of candidates for Europe’s premier club competition next season.

Guardiola is accepting of that fact and the allure that the Champions League holds.

“There are many clubs fighting for this target,” he said.

“Everyone wants to be in the Champions League next season - prestige, sustainability, and economically, many reasons.”

Nottingham Forest v City app coverage

The Official Man City App will have all bases covered of the Blues’ latest top-flight assignment.

Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at around 11:15 (UK).

Mark Crossley and Kit Symons will be the guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.

During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Michael Brown while our text commentary continues.

Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.

Short highlights will be available at 17:15 (UK) before extended and a full-match replay (via CITY+) can be accessed at midnight.