Manchester City head into their Boxing Day weekend clash with Nottingham Forest riding a remarkable wave of momentum, fueled by a seven-game winning streak that has placed them firmly in the hunt for the Premier League title. With the City Ground set as the stage for this eagerly anticipated fixture on December 27, 2025, all eyes are on Pep Guardiola’s side as they look to continue their relentless pursuit of top spot.
City’s recent form has been nothing short of dominant. Their latest outing—a commanding 3-0 victory over West Ham—showcased the squad’s attacking prowess and defensive solidity. Erling Haaland, the Norwegian goal machine, bagged a brace to further cement his status as the league’s top scorer, while Tijjani Reijnders added his name to the scoresheet with a well-taken strike. That win, their sixth consecutive triumph across all competitions, kept City just two points adrift of the Premier League summit and sent a clear message to their title rivals.
Pep Guardiola’s tactical acumen has been on full display during this winning run. City have managed to strike a near-perfect balance between free-flowing attacking football and disciplined defending—a feat that’s become something of a trademark for the Catalan manager. Yet, with fixture congestion mounting and injuries taking their toll, squad rotation and player management have become central talking points. Guardiola, ever the perfectionist, is keen to maintain his team’s rhythm without risking fatigue or further injuries.
The challenge awaiting City at Nottingham Forest is not to be underestimated. Forest, managed by Sean Dyche, currently find themselves 17th in the table, just five points clear of the relegation zone. It’s been a tougher campaign than many expected for Dyche’s men, who have managed only two wins in their last five league outings. Despite the struggles, Forest have shown flashes of resilience and will be eager to spring an upset in front of their home fans.
History, however, is not on Forest’s side. The head-to-head record between Guardiola and Dyche is overwhelmingly in City’s favor: 16 wins and two draws for the Manchester club in their past 18 meetings. Still, Guardiola remains cautious, noting that “taking too many risks against a team like this would be foolish.” Dyche has reverted Forest back to the tactical setup that brought them success last season, and with the pressure mounting, both managers know the importance of every point at this stage of the campaign.
City’s predicted starting XI for this encounter remains unchanged from the side that dispatched West Ham so convincingly. Gianluigi Donnarumma, who boasts an impressive 50% clean sheet ratio in the league, will be aiming for his eighth shutout of the season. Matheus Nunes, who led the team in touches, completed passes, and successful dribbles in the last match, is set to anchor the right flank. The central defensive partnership of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol continues to blossom, providing a solid foundation at the back.
With Rayan Ait-Nouri unavailable due to international duty at AFCON, Nico O’Reilly is expected to slot in at left-back. O’Reilly has exceeded all expectations this season, emerging as a key figure for City despite being a natural midfielder. In midfield, Nico Gonzalez will anchor the side, making his 14th consecutive start. Gonzalez leads the squad in accurate passes per 90 minutes and is a defensive workhorse, second only to O’Reilly in tackles per game.
Tijjani Reijnders, fresh off his ninth goal involvement of the season, is expected to partner Phil Foden in midfield. Foden’s current run of form has made him undroppable, while Bernardo Silva’s recent performances have left his starting place in question. Up front, the attacking trio of Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, and Savinho will look to trouble Forest’s backline. Cherki, with 13 goal involvements in 22 appearances, has become a fan favorite, while Savinho appears to be regaining his best form after a slow start to the season.
Erling Haaland remains the focal point of City’s attack and leads the Premier League golden boot race with 19 goals—more than the combined tally of his nearest rivals, Igor Thiago and Hugo Ekitike. “You would be hard pressed to find anyone who does not back him to add to that tally this weekend,” reads one analysis, and with six goals in his last five matches, the Norwegian’s confidence is sky-high.
In terms of squad news, City are still without Jeremy Doku and John Stones, both sidelined through injury. Oscar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic also remain unavailable, limiting Guardiola’s options for rotation, especially in defense. Abdukodir Khusanov is a possible alternative at the back, but the experience and form of Dias and Gvardiol make them likely starters. The substitutes’ bench features a mix of youth and experience, with Rodri making a welcome return after a hamstring injury. Guardiola confirmed, “I’m happy that Rodri is coming back to do the first steps. We had two or three setbacks so we have to be careful for the minutes for when he is ready. I listen a lot with the doctors and physios and he starts with the bench.”
Rodri’s return, even in a limited capacity, is a significant boost for City as they enter a crucial stretch of the season. His absence has been keenly felt, but the team has coped admirably in his stead, thanks to the contributions of Gonzalez and others. Guardiola’s careful management of Rodri’s minutes reflects the club’s long-term ambitions and the need to avoid further injury setbacks.
For Nottingham Forest, the challenge is clear. With their Premier League survival on the line, Dyche’s men will need to summon every ounce of determination to stifle City’s attacking threat and exploit any opportunities that come their way. Right-back Nicolo Savona has struggled defensively this season, making him a potential target for City’s lively left-sided attackers.
As the teams prepare to kick off at 12:30 pm GMT at the City Ground, anticipation is building. City’s supporters will be hoping for another clinical performance, while Forest’s faithful will dream of an upset that could ignite their season. With Arsenal set to play Brighton later in the day, a win for City would see them leapfrog the Gunners—at least temporarily—adding extra spice to an already intriguing fixture.
As the action unfolds, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle, with both sides desperate for points for very different reasons. Whether City’s winning streak continues or Forest can defy the odds remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this Boxing Day weekend clash promises drama, intensity, and plenty of talking points for the weeks ahead.
