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Premier League | Gameweek 24

Feb 18, 2023 at 3pm UK

City Ground

Nott'm Forest
1 - 1
Man City

Wood (84')
Worrall (14')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Silva (41')
Guardiola i Sala (66')

How Manchester City could line up against Nottingham Forest

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 16 February 2023

How Man City could line up against Nott'm Forest

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Manchester City could line up for Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.

Manchester City will once again be without defender John Stones when they travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 28-year-old has missed the Citizens' last three matches since sustaining a hamstring injury in the FA Cup win over Arsenal at the end of January, and is not expected to return until next month.

Erling Braut Haaland entered Wednesday's title showdown with Arsenal as an injury doubt after coming off at half time with a "big knock" in the previous game against Aston Villa, but City's No.9 started and scored in a 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium to help them climb above the Gunners to the top of the table.

The Norwegian, who netted a hat-trick in the 6-0 home win over Forest earlier this season, is expected to retain his place up front, while Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish are set to continue providing support in attack, although both Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez will be pushing for a starting berth as Guardiola considers rotation during a hectic fixture schedule.

Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake were all selected to start in defence last time out, while Bernardo Silva operated as a makeshift left-back when City were out of possession, and a similar tactic could be deployed against Forest on Saturday.

However, the former three could be at risk of losing their places in the first XI, with Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji and Aymeric Laporte all hoping to return after watching on as substitutes against Arsenal.

When in possession, Bernardo could slot into a deep-lying midfield role alongside Rodri, while Kevin De Bruyne – who scored and provided an assist for Haaland against Arsenal – and Ilkay Gundogan will likely operate slightly further forward.

Kalvin Phillips came off the bench in the closing stages at the Emirates, and while a start in centre-midfield is possible on Saturday, the Yorkshireman is expected to begin once again as a substitute.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Laporte; Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland