Last updated on April 25, 2025
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Doku who provided the assist for the Villa winner will hope to continue from where he left off.
Image credit: Premier League
As the sun sets on April 27, football fans across England will turn their gaze to Wembley Stadium, where Nottingham Forest face Manchester City in a high-stakes FA Cup semi-final showdown.
For Pep Guardiola’s men, this is a shot at salvaging silverware in what’s been a turbulent season.
For Nuno Espírito Santo’s Nottingham Forest, it’s a chance to make history and reach their first FA Cup final in over three decades.
The Bigger Picture
While Manchester City are on the verge of losing their Premier League crown—Liverpool need just a point against Tottenham to secure the title—the FA Cup remains a valuable consolation.
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City are bidding to reach their third consecutive FA Cup final and their seventh in nine years under Guardiola.
Only once in his tenure have they failed to reach at least the semi-finals.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, haven’t tasted FA Cup final football since 1991, when they fell to Spurs in extra time.
Now, under the guidance of Nuno, they’re making a spirited run that has captured neutral hearts.
Their Wembley ticket was punched thanks to a series of dramatic penalty shootout victories, showcasing grit, resilience, and a never-say-die attitude.
Form Guide
City enter the tie in strong form. They’ve won five of their last six matches across all competitions, including a narrow 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth.
Most recently, a late Matheus Nunes strike secured victory against Aston Villa.
Their record in the competition is equally impressive—they’ve scored in each of their last 21 FA Cup ties since a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the 2021 semis.
Forest are also on a high. They’ve won four FA Cup ties in a row, including shootout triumphs over Exeter City, Ipswich Town, and Brighton.
A recent 2-1 league win over Tottenham further underlined their credentials as giant killers.
Team News
Manchester City:
Guardiola’s side continues to battle injury woes. Erling Haaland, Rodri, Ederson, Nathan Ake, and John Stones remain out, and young Oscar Bobb has suffered a setback.
James McAtee is suspended, meaning Jeremy Doku—who provided the assist for the Villa winner—could step into the starting XI.
Nico O’Reilly, the breakout star of City’s FA Cup campaign, is expected to start again.
Nottingham Forest:
Forest will be without Ryan Yates and Neco Williams due to suspension.
Williams’ absence may force a reshuffle at right-back, particularly if Ola Aina doesn’t recover from a calf injury in time.
Eric da Silva Moreira and Jota Silva are both unavailable, but neither were likely starters.
Predicted Lineups
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1):
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Toffolo; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Manchester City (4-3-3):
Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Silva, Kovacic, Gundogan; Doku, De Bruyne, Marmoush
What to Expect
This clash promises drama, intensity, and tactical intrigue.
Manchester City’s experience, depth, and attacking firepower give them the edge.
Yet, Nottingham Forest’s confidence and penalty shootout prowess make them a dangerous underdog.
Expect City to dominate possession, but Forest to defend compactly and counter with pace.
If the game stretches into extra time, Guardiola’s bench could prove decisive.
