Man City vs Nottingham Forest: How to watch on TV live stream, team news, lineups & prediction
Manchester City host newly promoted Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.
City have begun the defence of their title with ten points from a possible 12 but Pep Guardiola insists his side still "have to improve". One area of refinement may be at the back as the reigning champions have shipped as many goals as Forest - an uncharacteristically high five.
However, the Tricky Trees have only found the net at the other end twice while collecting four points on their return to the top flight.
Here's everything you need to know about the first competitive meeting between these clubs since 2009.
Where are Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest playing?
- Location: Manchester, England
- Stadium: Etihad Stadium
- Date: Wednesday 31 August
- Kick-off Time: 19:30 BST / 14:30 EST / 11:30 PST
- VAR: Mike Dean
- Referee: Paul Tierney
How to watch Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest in the UK?
- Channel: BT Sport 3
- Channel: BT Sport 7
- Streaming Service: BT Sport
- Broadcast Time: 19:00 (BST)
How to watch Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest in The United States?
- Streaming Service: Peacock Premium
- Broadcast Time EST: 14:30
- Broadcast Time PST: 11:30
How to watch Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest in Canada?
- Streaming Service: fuboTV
- Broadcast Time (EST): 14:30
How to watch Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest Highlights?
- Channel: BBC Match of the Day
- Stream: BT Sport Football YouTube channel
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Manchester City: 3 Wins
Nottingham Forest: 2 Wins
Draws: 1
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Manchester City: LWWDW
Nottingham Forest: LWDWL
Manchester City team news
Manchester City's centre-back stock took another hit as Luke Mbete suffered a head injury during an oddly-timed friendly against Barcelona last week. However, Nathan Ake is edging towards a return and Aymeric Laporte is scheduled to reappear at the end of September.
Jack Grealish (knee) and Kalvin Phillips (shoulder) both missed City's 4-2 victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday but aren't expected to be sidelined for long. Grealish was training individually before Palace's visit and may have recovered by the time Forest arrive at the Etihad.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest
Manchester City Starting 11: Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Gomez; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo, Haaland, Foden.
Bench: Ortega, Mahrez, Alvarez, Walker, Palmer, Gomes, Lewis, Knight, Wilson-Esbrand.
Nottingham Forest team news
Forest's newly signed defensive duo of Moussa Niakhate and Omar Richards aren't expected to recover until October from thigh and leg injuries respectively.
Morgan Gibbs-White overcame a knock to feature in defeat to Tottenham last weekend but Jack Colback has been "hit for six" by the illness which has sidelined the midfielder for the last three games.
Renan Lodi officially became the 19th new face through the door at the start of the week but may not be thrust straight into the firing line against the reigning champions.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Manchester City
Nottingham Forest Starting 11: Henderson; Worrall, Cook, McKenna; Williams, Yates, O'Brien, Toffolo; Lingard, Gibbs-White; Johnson.
Bench: Hennessey, Biancone, Lodi, Awoniyi, Surridge, Mighten, Kouyate, Freuler, Dennis.
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest score prediction
"Thank you, Premier League, for that," was Steve Cooper's sarcastic offering when he highlighted the extra day of rest City would have ahead of Wednesday's showdown.
While Forest have scarcely looked out of their depth upon their Premier League return - unlike fellow promoted side Bournemouth - it's hard to imagine Cooper's goal-shy side would be able to get the better of this resilient City team even with ample preparation time.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Nottingham Forest