Manchester City will be looking to send another statement of intent when they travel to face Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s side are in ominous form, and they produced an emphatic display on Thursday evening, sweeping aside Brighton in a 4-0 victory.
It was a typically swashbuckling display, and if league leaders Arsenal had any preconceptions they would merely pull away, then they will have been sorely mistaken.
City come into their element at this time of the campaign, and with an easier run-in than rivals Arsenal, they will know what is required to keep the title at the Etihad.
Forest, on the other hand, are trying to keep their heads above water, and with just one win in their past eight league outings, they are 17th in the table, and they need to pick up points.
Of course, there will be some Forest fans who will have been incandescent by what happened against Everton, most notably the three penalty shouts that were waved away by Anthony Taylor.
Anyway, will Forest derail title-chasing City at the City Ground? I have provided a couple of customary tips for you to keep at the forefront of your mind ahead of kick-off.
No Haaland no problem for Man City
Against Brighton, City showed little signs that they missed Erling Haaland, who hasn’t played since their Champions League exit to Real Madrid.
It was a ferocious display, and as we know, City get stronger as the season wears on.
Guardiola’s troops are now unbeaten in 30 games in all competitions (W24, D6) making them the third English top-flight side to record that accomplishment after Forest (40 in 1978) and Manchester United who achieved that twice.
Moreover, as far as the league is concerned, City haven’t tasted defeat since a 1-0 reverse away to Aston Villa in December.
When City met Forest in the corresponding fixture last term, the visitors were held to a 1-1 draw, and Forest would no doubt settle for that again.
However, City know the equation is simple, and five wins from their remaining five games will see them crowned champions for the fourth successive season.
City’s script is a well-rehearsed one and I don’t see them fluffing their lines. For my opening pick, I’m going with City to win and to win to nil which is trading at a short 9/5 with Paddy Power.
Phil Foden to deliver another masterclass
Phil Foden is having another season to remember for City, and he was on fire once again against Brighton.
His double saw him net his 50th and 51st Premier League goal, and he became just the third player to score 50 top-flight goals under Guardiola while aged 23 or younger.
But in terms of this campaign, he has already plundered 16 in the league, representing his best return in City colours.
Foden’s goals, more recently, have come in clusters, and I think he will rattle home a double against Forest.
If you wish to jump on that, bet365 has obliged with an eye-catching price of 10/1 for Foden to grab a brace.
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