Nottingham Forest host Manchester City in the Premier League at City Ground on December 27th 2025.
Last season, Nottingham Forest stunned City with a 1-0 home win. One of the rare occasions Pep Guardiola’s side left empty handed against a bottom half team.
This time around, the context is different. City arrive in red hot form and firmly in the title race. While Forest are fighting to keep daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.
Despite that shock result last season, the overall record leans heavily in City’s favour. Across the last five meetings, City have won four and lost one in the Premier League.
The most recent meeting came at Wembley in the FA Cup semi final, where Pep's City ran out comfortable 2-0 winners on their way to lifting the trophy. That result underlined the gap between the two sides on a neutral stage. Even if Forest have shown they can make life uncomfortable at home.
Forest’s recent form has been mixed but encouraging in patches. They have won three of their last five matches across all competitions. Including a big 3-0 home win over Spurs that lifted confidence around the City Ground.
Their last five results are:
1-0 win away at Wolves
3-0 loss away at Everton
2-1 win away at FC Utrecht in the Europa League
3-0 home win against Spurs
1-0 loss away to Fulham
Forest currently sit 17th in the table on 18 points, five points clear of 18th placed West Ham. Every home game feels massive, and they will see this as another chance to frustrate one of the league’s giants.
City could hardly be in better shape. They have won their last seven games in all competitions and look relentless going forward.
Their last five matches include:
3-0 home win over West Ham
2-0 home win against Brentford in the FA Cup
3-0 away win at Crystal Palace
2-1 away win at Real Madrid
3-0 home win over Sunderland
That run has helped City climb to second place in the league on 37 points. Just two points behind leaders Arsenal. The pressure is on to keep winning, especially with Arsenal setting the pace.
While City are winning consistently, Forest will take encouragement from the fact City have shown vulnerability against teams around their level. City were involved in a chaotic 5-4 win away at Fulham and needed a late goal to beat Leeds 3-2 at the Etihad.
Forest will hope that with a disciplined setup and the backing of the home crowd. They can force City into another uncomfortable afternoon.
City will dominate possession and territory, but Forest will not be short on belief after last season’s result at the City Ground. If Forest score first, the atmosphere could turn this into a real test for the champions.
On form alone, City are clear favourites. But Boxing Day hangovers and the tight Christmas schedule have produced surprises before. Forest will believe they can make this one of them.
