Erling Haaland took most of the plaudits after scoring hat-trick, but City boss impressed by Argentinian forward
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 7.30pm, Wednesday 31st August 2022
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Paul Tierney Assistants: N Davies, T Wood Fourth Official: J Brooks VAR: M Dean
Odds: Man City 1/12, Draw 12/1, Forest 28/1
Tickets: Sold out
TV: BT Sport
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Cancelo, Gomez, Mbete, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand, Phillips, Gundogan, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Palmer, Haaland, Alvarez, Mahrez
Injured: Ake, Laporte
Doubtful: Grealish, Phillips, Mbete
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWDWW
Nottingham Forest
Manager: Steve Cooper
Squad (from): Henderson, Smith, Hennessey, Biancone, Cook, Worrall, Soh, Williams, Toffolo, McKenna, Lodi, Colback, Gibbs-White, Lingard, O'Brien, Cafu, Kouyate, Yates, Freuler, Arter, Awoniyi, Surridge, Johnson, Dennis, L Taylor, D Taylor
Injured: Richards, Mangala, Niakhate
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: LWDWL
Pep Guardiola haied new signing Julian Alvarez during Tuesday's press conference ahead of the Nottingham Forest game. Erling Haaland took most of the plaudits after netting a hat-trick against Crystal Palace at the weekend, but the City boss reserved praise for the Argentinian international.
“I knew him a little bit, off TV, clips, games in River Plate. I was surprised at how good he is.
“He is so humble, always positive. Every training session he gives everything. I like this type of player.
“All of us are impressed with the guy, for his pace, for his sense of goal, for his work ethic. For many things.”
“He was involved in two goals last game. Always close to the ball, has the sense to be in the position in the right moment. When he drops he has the quality to play. I know people are talking a lot about Erling but Julian is exceptional player.”
City won their only game against Forest at The Etihad 3-0 in an FA Cup tie back in 2009. Overall City have won 40 of the 100 games played against the Reds, with 27 draws and 33 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Haaland
Score prediction: City 3 Forest 0