Manchester City will be bidding to make it six straight wins in the Premier League on Saturday when they cross swords with Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.
The Sky Blues beat West Ham 3-1 away in their previous Premier League fixture before beginning their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 comeback victory over Crvena Zvezda on Tuesday.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, have enjoyed a mixed start to the new season, winning two, losing two and drawing one thus far. They drew 1-1 with 10-man Burnley at City Ground in their last game.
With both teams heading to the Etihad Stadium off the back of contrasting results, let us take a look at the three key battles that could define the outcome of this fixture.
#Erling Haaland vs Forest centre-backs
Erling Haaland has started the new campaign in flying fashion, bagging seven goals and an assist in five Premier League games. While he was unable to add to his goal tally against Crvena Zvezda in the Champions League, the Norwegian striker grabbed an assist for Julian Alvarez’s equaliser.
Haaland is arguably the most fearsome striker in the world right now and Forest must conjure a plan to stop him at the weekend. Having lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Burnley, Steve Cooper could revert to a back three when Forest faces City.
Wily Boly missed the game against Burnley due to illness but should be back in contention for Forest’s trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The Ivorian, if deemed fully fit, will join Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall at the back to try and stop Haaland from scoring. How the defensive trio of Boly, McKenna and Worrall deal with the City goal machine will be intriguing to watch.
#Jeremy Doku vs Serge Aurier
Jeremy Doku has enjoyed a fine start to life at Man City following his summer move from Rennes. The Belgian speedster produced a scintillating display in City’s 3-1 win over West Ham last weekend, scoring a fantastic equaliser right at the start of the second half.
He has made an immediate impact for City, with his ability to dribble with the ball as well as attack half spaces giving Guardiola’s side a different dimension in attack. Doku has already shown the damage he can cause when running at a defence and will try and manufacture opportunities throughout the game on Saturday to charge at Forest’s wing-back one-on-one.
Making his debut for Forest at right-back on Monday, Gonzalo Montiel endured a torrid time against Burnley’s Luca Koleosho and was substituted at half-time. Cooper will be hoping Serge Aurier recovers in time to face City, after the Ivorian missed out against Burnley with a minor injury.
Aurier has shown signs of being a valuable asset as a wing-back in City’s flexible system, and given his attacking nature of going forward and causing problems, he could be a good match for Doku on the flank.
#Morgan Gibbs-White vs Rodri
Morgan Gibbs-White is among the first names on Cooper’s teamsheet, and his creativity and movement will pose a big threat to City. The Englishman is very adept at dropping deep in midfield to pick up the ball, but is at his most dangerous when in possession in pockets of space in the final third.
Stopping Gibbs-White from influencing Forest’s play in the final third will fall on the shoulders of Rodri, who has started the new season in great form. The Spaniard is vital to City’s possession-based style of football, with his penetrative and incisive passes from deep helpful in unlocking the best of defences.
As a shield in front of City’s backline, Rodri will look to dictate the flow of the game whilst containing Gibbs-White.
