Something strange has been brewing at the City Ground. While the rest of English football watches Manchester City's relentless march toward another title challenge, Nottingham Forest have quietly become the one club the Citizens seem to fear.
Last March, Forest achieved the unthinkable—a clean sheet against Pep Guardiola's goal machine. Now, just nine months later, they have the chance to do something this club hasn't managed in three decades: beat Manchester City twice in a row.
The Weight of History
Guardiola made headlines this week with an unusual declaration. He would weigh his players upon return from Christmas festivities, threatening to drop anyone carrying excess festive mass. The comments raised eyebrows, but they reveal a manager leaving nothing to chance in this title race.
City arrive in Nottingham having won seven consecutive matches across all competitions. Their last three Premier League victories have all finished 3-0, a clinical efficiency that has closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to just two points. Erling Haaland has rediscovered his devastating touch, scoring twice against West Ham in their most recent outing.
Dyche's Dilemma
Sean Dyche inherited a mess when he replaced Ange Postecoglou in October, and while European adventures have provided respite, the Premier League remains a struggle. Forest sit 17th, just five points above the drop zone, their season defined by a frustrating win-loss-win-loss pattern.
The absence of Chris Wood represents a significant blow. The New Zealander continues individual training following a knee injury, robbing Dyche of his most reliable goalscorer. Ola Aina and Ryan Yates are also doubtful, while Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Numbers Game
The statistics paint a compelling picture. Only Wolves have failed to score in more Premier League matches than Forest's nine this season. Yet curiously, the Tricky Trees have won their last four games played between Christmas and New Year, all under previous manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
City, meanwhile, haven't lost a festive fixture in over five years. Their last defeat between Christmas and New Year came against Wolves in December 2019. They've scored 21 first-half goals this season—more than any other Premier League side.
What to Watch
Morgan Gibbs-White remains Forest's creative heartbeat. The England international will need to conjure something special against City's restructured midfield. Elliot Anderson offers dynamism, while Callum Hudson-Odoi provides the pace to exploit any space behind City's high defensive line.
For the visitors, all eyes will be on whether Guardiola names an unchanged lineup for a third consecutive league game. With Jeremy Doku a major doubt and John Stones still sidelined, the manager's options are more limited than he'd prefer.
The City Ground will be rocking. History beckons. But can Forest truly pull off back-to-back victories against English football's dominant force? Thirty years is a long time to wait for anything.
