Nottingham Forest have their first date at Wembley since the 2022 play-off final, as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to solve the dilemma of Ola Aina and Neco Williams’ absence.
Espirito Santo loved the FA Cup as a child, so leading his Forest side out to earn a place in the final will certainly be a proud moment.
It will be a side full of confidence, too, especially up front, as Chris Wood scored against Tottenham on Monday to signal his return to his best from injury.
Pep Guardiola loves Forest’s attack, but it’s defensively where the Forest squad is struggling for numbers on Sunday, meaning that Espirito Santo may need to improvise.
Nottingham Forest team news vs Manchester City
The key focus of the pre-match buildup has been whether Ola Aina would make the starting XI after he was injured against Manchester United.
Aina has said he is feeling stronger, but Espirito Santo could not confirm whether the Nigerian international would actually be available on Sunday, preferring to adopt a “let’s see” stance on his chances.
On a more positive note, Eric da Silva Moreira could be fit to offer the Forest manager a natural right-back option, a huge relief, especially given that Neco Williams is suspended. Ryan Yates is also suspended for Wembley, which will leave the Reds with a problem in midfield too.
With all of these factors in mind, Nottingham Forest News is predicting two changes to the side that faced Tottenham on Monday.
Nottingham Forest predicted line-up vs Manchester City
GK: Matz Sels – The Belgian has been heroic in the FA Cup so far this season in three penalty shootouts; hopefully, it won’t go that far again, but Sels will be crucial regardless.
RB: Eric da Silva Moreira – Aina may be fit enough to make the squad, but we don’t expect him to start. Instead, Moreira will get the nod as the fitter of the two to allow Espirito Santo to use his preferred system.
CB: Nikola Milenkovic – Don’t fix what isn’t broken, the Serbian has been impeccable this season and will surely keep his place.
CB: Murillo – Again, a self-explanatory pick. Murillo had a blip against Everton, but his partnership with Milenkovic is Forest’s strongest.
LB: Harry Toffolo – Toffolo starred against Tottenham, and we think that momentum will keep him just ahead of Alex Moreno in the absence of Williams.
CM: Elliot Anderson – He got his goal on Monday, so hopefully that confidence will carry into Wembley to combat City’s star-studded midfield.
CM: Nicolas Dominguez – Dominguez would complete the same midfield pair that started on Monday, as well as the same pair that started March’s 1-0 win over the Cityzens.
RW: Anthony Elanga – Elanga starred against Manchester United earlier in the month, so he’ll be aiming to do the same to their city rivals on Sunday.
CAM: Morgan Gibbs-White – After news broke that City are looking to sign Gibbs-White, it would be poetic to see him replicate his immense performance in the March victory on the grandest stage.
LW: Callum Hudson-Odoi – The second predicted change, we expect Hudson-Odoi to replace Danilo to complete Forest’s preferred attacking quartet.
ST: Chris Wood – Wood wasn’t as involved as he’d have liked to have been when the two sides last met, so he’ll be looking to grab a goal at Wembley.
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