Context? Manchester City hosting Nottingham Forest sounds like a straightforward win, right? Wrong. Pep Guardiola’s men are currently enduring a seven-game winless streak—a phrase that’s as rare in City’s history as Erling Haaland missing an open goal. The champions are desperate to avoid extending that streak to eight, and Forest could either be the perfect victim or an unexpected spoiler.
Guardiola, ever the tinkerer, is likely to shuffle his deck again in search of the right formula. Here’s how City could line up at the Etihad for Wednesday’s showdown.
Manchester City Predicted Lineup (3-2-4-1)
Goalkeeper: Ederson (30)
Stefan Ortega impressed against Liverpool, but Ederson’s experience and leadership might earn him a recall. After all, Pep can’t afford to bench his trusted Brazilian for too long, even after his recent blunders.
Centre-Backs: Manuel Akanji (29), Ruben Dias (27), Josko Gvardiol (22)
Manuel Akanji (29): Normally a model of consistency, Akanji has looked shaky lately—like the rest of City’s defense. Still, his reliability under pressure makes him a strong choice.
Ruben Dias (27): The heart of City’s backline. Sure, he wasn’t perfect against Liverpool, but his leadership is non-negotiable during this crisis.
Josko Gvardiol (22): After a tough run of games, Gvardiol got some much-needed bench time at Anfield. Fresh legs could help him regain his commanding form.
Midfield Pivot: Matheus Nunes (25) & Ilkay Gundogan (33)
Matheus Nunes (25): Athleticism? Check. Versatility? Double-check. While he didn’t shine last weekend, Nunes might get the nod in a midfield desperate for dynamism.
Ilkay Gundogan (33): Guardiola trusts his veterans, and Gundogan has the experience to control the game. He’ll be crucial for linking defense and attack.
Attacking Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (33), Jack Grealish (29), Jeremy Doku (22)
Kevin De Bruyne (33): Fresh off his injury return, KDB is City’s creative maestro. If anyone can unlock Forest’s defense, it’s him. Expect him to start and dictate the tempo.
Jack Grealish (29): Pep teased a new role for Grealish in his post-Liverpool comments, hinting at a central playmaking position. Can Jack finally deliver that elusive Premier League goal?
Jeremy Doku (22): The Belgian winger’s spark has been hit-and-miss, but he remains City’s wildcard. Against Forest’s backline, his unpredictability could make the difference.
Right Wing: Savinho (20)
Savinho hasn’t fully arrived as a consistent contributor, but he’s got the skills to exploit Forest’s defensive vulnerabilities, especially down the right flank.
Striker: Erling Haaland (24)
Haaland might have been a ghost at Anfield, but let’s not forget he’s still the Premier League’s top scorer. With a point to prove, expect the Norwegian goal machine to lead the line.
What’s at Stake?
Context? A loss here and Guardiola might actually start sweating under the pressure of those “you’re getting sacked in the morning” chants. But let’s be real—if anyone can mastermind a bounce-back, it’s Pep.
Cityzens, what do you think? Is this lineup enough to stop the rot, or should Pep rethink his approach? Let’s hear your thoughts before the Etihad lights up on Wednesday night!
Author
