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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 35
Nottingham Forest v Manchester City
City Ground
West Bridgford, England
Sunday, 28 April 2024
Kick-off is at 17h30
Manchester City will be looking to add to Nottingham Forest's woes when they go head-to-head at the City Ground on Sunday, April 28 in the late kick-off.
The Citizens made short work of Brighton on April 25 with a 4-0 win at the Amex to close within one point of
Premier League leaders Arsenal in second place.
Pep Guardiola's side crucially have a game in hand on the Gunners, who pulled three points clear of Liverpool following a 5-0 rout of Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on April 23.
The Reds' title ambitions suffered a damaging blow after they were beaten 2-0 by neighbours Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on April 24.
With Mikel Arteta's side taking on Tottenham in the North London derby earlier in the day, City will be waiting to pounce on any potential slip-up from their title rivals and could end the weekend in top spot.
Forest have put themselves in danger of losing their top-flight status after becoming embroiled in a battle with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) over several controversial refereeing decisions this season.
The Tricky Tress were denied three penalties in the 2-0 defeat to the Toffees on Merseyside on April 21 and they feel that referees have a personal vendetta against the club.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side are just one point clear of the relegation zone in 17th position after winning only two of their 14 matches this year and their focus is being divided by the war with the match officials.
In team news, the hosts have good news on the injury front, with Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly the only absentees for the clash with City, who will be without star striker Erling Haaland after he sustained an injury against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last week.
Forest have called for greater transparency from PGMOL with regards to the appointments of VAR after claiming that Stuart Attwell "was a Luton fan".
"Following yesterday's match at Everton, NFFC issued a statement highlighting our concern at the perception of the PGMOL appointment of VAR for the game.
"This was an issue we raised with PGMOL prior to the fixture because of the fear of the side show that would ensue if anything went wrong with officiating in the game. That fear has materialised, as the correctness of three important decisions against the Club have been called into doubt.
"NFFC stands by its request for greater transparency around PGMOL appointments to further protect the game's reputation, as intended in PGMOL's existing approach to allegiances.
"Given the widespread and ongoing concerns, not merely of the fans, players and managers of this Club but of many others and the pundits too, over VAR decisions throughout this season any move which boosts confidence in the system should be properly considered."
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Guardiola is refusing to look further than their next game against Forest as he is wary of dropping points in the title race like Arsenal and Liverpool have in recent weeks.
"It's difficult to catch [Arsenal on goal difference]. The margin is so big. They score a lot of goals, they don't concede. The target is to win the game. We have five games left, it's a lot. One game at a time," the Spaniard told Sky Sports.
"Many things can happen. What happened to Liverpool, against Crystal Palace and Everton, can happen to us. It can happen to Arsenal. Nobody is safe from that. So be calm, be happy today for the victory. The players are still there. Now recover and think of the next one."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Forest wins - 1
Man City wins - 2
Draws - 2
Premier League Matchday 35 fixtures:
Saturday, April 27
13h30: West Ham United v Liverpool
16h00: Fulham v Crystal Palace
16h00: Manchester United v Burnley
16h00: Newcastle United v Sheffield United
16h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Luton Town
18h30: Everton v Brentford
21h00: Aston Villa v Chelsea
Sunday, April 28
15h00: Bournemouth v Brighton & Hove Albion
15h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
17h30: Nottingham Forest v Manchester City
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