Nottingham Forest Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo has admitted that he cannot decide between securing a top four place and winning the FA Cup, so his team would like to do that.
Forest defeated Ipswich Town on penalties in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday and set a quarterfinals to Brighton and Hove Albion, while they are also third in the Premier League, two points above the fifth.
The side of Nuno is also one place and a point above Saturday's opposition in Manchester City, which themselves have similar ambitions after performing under expectations this season.
“I'm happy. I am really, very happy, “said Nuno, following Forest's punishment victory in the FA Cup.” We have so much hope and we want to go as far as possible in the FA Cup. The emotions are always high on penalties. I am very happy.
“It's a good time. It is important for the club to try it well. Now we have to concentrate on the Premier League, but the FA Cup will always be in our mind. Brighton will be a tough game, but let's go really well.
“Every game is important. Do you know when it is a decisive game like this and you realize what happens to us, it is a huge moment for us as a club.
'[It’s] difficult to decide [between the two]. I will take both. Let's go game by game. Nothing changes in the way we have to approach games. Now we have to concentrate on [Manchester] City.”
His opposite song Pep Guardiola will now miss at least five first team players for their journey to the city.
Nathan Ake, John Stones, Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Manuel Akanji are all in the treatment room with city, with no expected available for the weekend.
“Unfortunately, it has been the case for the central defenders for the entire season. Hopefully the young people can keep it up and help us to the end,” said Guardiola.
Guardiola is happy with the performances of Nico O'Reilly, who scored a brace in the 3-1 victory of the city over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup last weekend.
The 19-year-old has so far only made two replacement performances in the Premier League, although he could see his involvement increase rapidly in Guardiola's comments.
“He is not a typical Academy player. He is a physical presence. He is a number 10, I would say. He can play in a few positions and he is a threat to set pieces because he is strong,” Guardiola said.
“I am really happy for him because he helped us a lot.”
Nathan Ake has undergone a successful operation on a break in his left foot.
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– Manchester City (@Mancity) March 4, 2025
Players to watch
Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood
Wood has been involved in 11 goals in his last nine Premier League matches (8 goals, 3 assists). He is also the only player who scores Nottingham Forest against Man City in the Premier League since their return to the division in 2022.
The New -Zeelander is fourth in the Premier League Golden Boot classification, with 18 goals in 27 performances.
Manchester City – Erling Haaland
Haaland is in second place in the Premier League Golden Boot classification on 20 goals in 26 performances – two more goals than wood.
The Norwegian has also recently found shape, with 10 goals in his last 12 games in all competitions.
Match forecast: Profit from Manchester City
Manchester City has won their last three Premier League matches against Nottingham Forest with a total score of 7-0.
Nottingham Forest has since been Winloos in their last nine league matches against Manchester City (D2 L7) since a 3-2 victory over Maine Road in the second layer in December 1997.
After their 1-0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur last time in the Premier League, City has now won six of their last nine games in the Premier League (D1 L2).
Only Liverpool (22) and Arsenal (18) won more points in the Premier League in 2025 than Manchester City (16-W5 D1 L2), without team network more often in the top of the top than they this calendar year (21 level with Liverpool).
Forest was put into the penalties by Ipswich Town in the city of Ipswich last weekend, which means that they are without a win in their last five games in all races in regulation for 90 minutes.
Opta wins probability
Nottingham Forest – 27.9%
Drawing – 24.6%
Manchester City – 47.5%
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