Julian Alvarez makes his full Premier League debut and Ilkay Gundogan returns as Pep Guardiola makes two changes to the side that started against Crystal Palace.

Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez make way and are on the bench for tonight’s clash with Nottingham Forest.

Line-ups

City: 

Ederson, Walker, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Rodrigo, Gundogan (c), Bernardo, Foden, Haaland, Alvarez

Subs: Ortega, De Bruyne, Gomez, Mahrez, Palmer, Gomes, Lewis, Knight, Wilson-Esbrand

Forest:

Formation: 4-3-3

It will almost certainly be a case of ‘as you were’ for City this evening in terms of formation. 

The back five remain the same as the weekend and Gundogan replaces De Bruyne in central midfield.

The forward line has a fresh look, however, with Phil Foden likely to start on the left flank and Alvarez on the right.

Both will be expected to supply Erling Haaland - as well as take any chances that fall their way.

City look to keep pressure on

With some of City’s title rivals stumbling in the first few weeks of the campaign, what better way to heap the pressure on those around us by winning again?

Chelsea and Liverpool have dropped early points and even now, they will be wary of letting City get too far ahead given the relentlessness of Pep Guardiola’s men.

And besides, Arsenal have a two-point advantage over the Blues and will also be looking to continue an impressive start to the campaign.

Nottingham Forest are still bedding back into Premier League life and there is no doubt they have made some astute signings this summer – but as a newly-promoted side, City will start as favourites to take all three points – but there is hard work to be done against Steve Cooper’s side who have already shown what they are capable of in their first four matches.

ALVAREZ GETS HIS REWARD

Though we’ve only seen glimpses of Julian Alvarez so far, each time he has looked sharper and fitter.

It’s not easy changing clubs, playing styles and settling into a new country, but the young Argentine seems to be taking it all in his stride.

Starting alongside Haaland and Foden is a mouth-watering prospect for City fans - it will be fascinating to see how the trio combine this evening.

Stats, facts, and milestones

Head-to-head

  • This is the first meeting between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest since second-tier Forest won an FA Cup third-round tie 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on 3 January 2009.
  • City and Forest are in the same league together for the first time since 2001-02 in the second tier. The Citizens took four points out of six that season, drawing 1-1 at the City Ground and triumphing 3-0 at Maine Road.
  • The Blues’ only win in six Premier League encounters with Forest was a 2-0 victory away from home on 27 February 1993. All three games in Manchester have been drawn.

Manchester City

  • Manchester City have won each of their last 20 Premier League matches played on a Wednesday since a 2-1 defeat at Leicester City on Boxing Day in 2018.
  • City have trailed by two goals in four of their last six Premier League matches, going on to avoid defeat in all four.
  • They can remain unbeaten in their opening five fixtures of a league campaign for the first time since 2018.
  • The Blues can equal the club record of scoring multiple goals in 14 successive Premier League games.
  • City have recorded a league-high 72 shot attempts this season.
  • The Citizens can become the third club to score at least four goals in their opening three Premier League home games, after Newcastle United (1994-95) and Arsenal (2009-10).
  • Erling Haaland has scored six goals in four Premier League appearances. The only players to net more in their first five games in the competition are Mick Quinn (eight), Sergio Aguero (eight) and Diego Costa (seven).
  • Kevin de Bruyne has been involved in 20 goals in his last 20 Premier League appearances against newly-promoted sides, scoring seven and assisting 13.

Nottingham Forest

  • Nottingham Forest have taken four points from their opening four Premier League matches this season despite inferior Expected Goals to their opponents in all four of those games.
  • Their tally of 79 shot attempts conceded is at least 14 more than any other club.
  • Forest have lost their last six Premier League fixtures against the reigning champions by an aggregate score of 23-3.
  • However, they have not conceded more than twice in any of their last 73 away league matches since a 3-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in April 2019.
  • Dean Henderson has saved three of the five Premier League penalties he has faced.
  • Brennan Johnson has been directly involved in seven goals in his last nine away matches, scoring five and assisting two.

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