This Sunday, Nottingham Forest will face Manchester City in the highly anticipated FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium. With a place in the final at stake, this match is set to be a thrilling encounter between a team on the rise and a perennial domestic powerhouse looking to extend its dominance.
For Forest, this match represents a rare opportunity to reach their first FA Cup final since 1991, while Manchester City will be hoping to reach their third consecutive final under Pep Guardiola, a feat they are desperate to achieve. Both teams will bring their own momentum and aspirations to this historic showdown, making it one of the standout matches of the weekend.
In this detailed preview, we’ll take a closer look at both teams’ form, injuries, predicted lineups, and what to expect from this exciting clash.
Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup Dream: Can They Shock Man City Again?
Nottingham Forest‘s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. After a historic win over Manchester City in the Premier League back in March, Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side will be hoping to replicate that victory and secure a place in the final. That 1-0 win over City was a crucial moment in their season, and Forest will be eager to prove that it wasn’t a one-off performance.
Forest have had a somewhat inconsistent season in the Premier League, but their cup run has provided them with a boost. They’ll be hoping to carry that confidence into this semi-final, especially after an important 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week. The attacking combination of Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga, alongside the creativity of Morgan Gibbs-White, could cause problems for City‘s defense, particularly given the absence of some key players in Guardiola’s squad.
Reaching the FA Cup final would be a huge achievement for Forest, and securing a place in next season’s Champions League would cap an unforgettable season for the club. This match will be a test of their resilience and ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stage.
Man City’s FA Cup Ambitions: Three Finals in a Row?
On the other side, Manchester City are looking to continue their pursuit of domestic glory under Pep Guardiola. With the Premier League title in sight and a spot in the FA Cup final up for grabs, the Cityzens are aiming for an incredible third straight final appearance in the competition.
City’s domestic dominance over the past few seasons has been remarkable, and under Guardiola, they have turned Wembley into something of a second home. Having won the FA Cup twice during Guardiola’s tenure, including a comprehensive victory over Watford in 2019, City will be eager to keep that winning tradition alive.
But this isn’t a City team at full strength. Injuries have taken their toll, particularly with key players such as Ederson and Erling Haaland sidelined for this match. Despite this, City has a deep squad, and players like Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva will be more than capable of carrying the team through a tough encounter. They will certainly have their sights set on Wembley, knowing that the final is just one more step away.
What Time Does Nottingham Forest vs Man City Kick-Off?
- Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England
- Date: Sunday 27 April 2025
- Kick-off Time: 16:30 BST / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- VAR: Andy Madley
This match will be a high-stakes affair with everything to play for. With both teams fighting for a spot in the final, expect a tense atmosphere and plenty of drama.
Head-to-Head Record: Nottingham Forest vs Man City
Historically, Manchester City has dominated the recent encounters between these two sides. Out of the last five meetings, City has won three, with Forest claiming just one victory and one draw. Their most recent clash, however, saw Nottingham Forest pull off a memorable 1-0 win in the Premier League back in March 2025, which gave them significant confidence going into this match.
That victory will surely give Forest a mental edge going into the semi-final, as they have already shown they are capable of beating City. However, Manchester City remains one of the best teams in Europe, and they’ll be looking to make a statement on Sunday afternoon.
Nottingham Forest Team News and Predicted Lineup
Nottingham Forest will be without Ola Aina, who is still recovering from a calf injury, but there is hope he could return before the end of the season. In his absence, Neco Williams is expected to start at right-back, with Alex Moreno likely to feature on the opposite flank.
Nuno Espirito Santo has a couple of key decisions to make in terms of his lineup. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ryan Yates could both return to the starting XI, and the attacking duo of Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga will likely lead the charge against City‘s defense.
While Forest will be underdogs, they’ll be eager to create an upset and reach their first FA Cup final since 1991.
Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Sels
- Right-back: Williams
- Centre-back: Milenkovic
- Centre-back: Murillo
- Left-back: Moreno
- Central Midfielders: Yates, Anderson
- Attacking Midfielders: Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi
- Striker: Wood
With Elanga and Wood leading the attack, Forest will hope to exploit the gaps in City‘s defense, particularly with Stones and Ake absent.
Man City Team News and Predicted Lineup
For Manchester City, there are a few notable absences, most prominently Ederson and Erling Haaland, who are both sidelined due to injury. In their place, Stefan Ortega will continue in goal, and Julian Alvarez could start in attack alongside Kevin De Bruyne.
At the back, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol will be tasked with dealing with Forest’s attack, with the impressive Nico O’Reilly continuing at left-back. Despite the injuries, Pep Guardiola’s squad remains packed with talent, and players like Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva are more than capable of stepping up on the big occasion.
Man City Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Ortega
- Right-back: Nunes
- Centre-back: Dias
- Centre-back: Gvardiol
- Left-back: O’Reilly
- Central Midfielders: Gonzalez, Gundogan
- Attacking Midfielders: Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku
- Striker: Marmoush
Despite missing key players, City has the depth to challenge Forest and remain favorites heading into this semi-final.
Nottingham Forest vs Man City Score Prediction
This semi-final is shaping up to be an exciting clash, and Nottingham Forest will certainly be eager to continue their fairytale run in the competition. City, however, have experience on their side, and Pep Guardiola‘s tactical nous could prove decisive.
While Forest has the quality to make this a competitive match, Manchester City’s experience in these big moments could see them edge the contest. Expect Forest to give it their all, but ultimately, City’s talent may prove too much for the underdogs.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 (AET) Manchester City
This match has all the makings of an FA Cup classic, but City should just about come through in extra time to secure a spot in the final.
