Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City – FA Cup match preview and team news

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The Football Faithful

·27. April 2025

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City – FA Cup match preview and team news

Either Nottingham Forest or Manchester City will face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on the 17th May.

The Tricky Trees enter the semi-final showdown at Wembley Stadium off the back of a Monday night victory away to Tottenham.

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Jota Silva could miss out as the Portuguese international deals with a knock that excluded him from the squad against Spurs. Neco Williams and Ryan Yates are both suspended, but Ola Aina could make a return from a calf injury.

Nuno Espirito Santo rested Callum Hudson-Odoi last time out and the former Chelsea winger is likely to replace Danilo on the left.

Manchester City were in action in midweek as they dramatically beat Aston Villa 2-1 courtesy of Matheus Nunes’ late winner.

First-choice goalkeeper Ederson is still struggling with a recurring groin issue. Stefan Ortega will continue to deputise in between the sticks while the Brazilian recovers.

Erling Haaland and John Stones’ returns are on the horizon with Nathan Ake also progressing in his recovery. After an inspiring cameo off the bench, Jeremy Doku may have earned a spot amongst the starting eleven.

If City prevail today, they will book their spot in their third successive FA Cup final.

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City – FA Cup match preview

Recen form

Nottingham Forest: DWLLW

Forest will be confident that they can overcome last year’s finalists at Wembley Stadium this afternoon.

After a brief blip that consisted of two consecutive league losses, the east Midlands outfit returned to winning ways on Monday. It was a typically ruthless display as Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood netted early before their pragmatic style frustrated Tottenham.

The club haven’t reached an FA Cup final in over 30 years. A win today would take them one step closing to adding a third FA Cup trophy to their cabinet.

Read – When did the four semi-finalists last win the FA Cup?

Manchester City: WDWWW

Since losing to Forest in March, City have gone unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions. They have swept aside Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Everton and Aston Villa this month alone. A goalless draw at Manchester United is the only blemish on their copybook during that run.

Phenomenal dribbling from Jeremy Doku created the last-gasp chance for Matheus Nunes to grab a priceless winner at Villa Park on Tuesday night. That result leaves them in fourth position, with Forest only a point behind them while also having a game in hand.

However, the league standings are irrelevant for these sides this afternoon. City are searching for another piece of silverware to ensure they don’t finish the season trophyless.

Last Meeting: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Manchester City, Premier League, 8th March 2025

A late winner from Callum Hudson-Odoi clinched all three points for Forest in their last encounter with Manchester City. With both sides battling for Champions League qualification, the atmosphere was tense at the City Ground.

Chris Wood almost gifted a goal to fellow striker Erling Haaland in the opening stages of the contest. The New Zealand international was caught in possession by Haaland who drilled an effort just wide of Matz Sels’ goal.

Pep Guardiola’s side continued to try and breach the Forest resistance. January singing Nico Gonzalez was inches away from his first goal for the club as his strike from range clipped the upright.

Elliot Anderson was then slightly fortunate not to receive a punishment for a robust challenge on Phil Foden. The former Newcastle midfielder’s follow through resulted in his studs connecting with Foden’s shin but VAR didn’t intervene.

The hosts were much more adventurous after the break and were also denied by the woodwork. Hudson-Odoi cut inside and curled a low shot goalward only for Ederson to react smartly and tip the effort onto the post. A crucial stop from the Brazilian.

With seven minutes remaining, Hudson-Odoi was left in space again and this time the winger punished the reigning champions.

After taking Morgan Gibbs-White’s raking cross-field pass into his stride, the 24-year-old burst into the b0x and beat Ederson at his near post. Replays showed the shot took a slight deflection off Josko Gvardiol but the blame was rightfully directed at the goalkeeper.

Mateo Kovacic had the final roll of the dice for City and his volley whistled just wide of the post.

It was a huge win and clean sheet for Forest, who had recorded their first victory over the blue half of Manchester since 2009.

Read – The most surprising league positions in Europe this season

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Wembley Stadium will be at 16:30 BST on Sunday, 27th April 2025.

Who is the referee?

Michael Oliver will be the match official. Stuart Burt and Dan Cook will assist him while Sam Barrott will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Andy Madley and he will be assisted by Craig Taylor.