Nottm Forest vs Man City: TV channel, head-to-head & prediction

There aren’t many Premier League matchups that pair a two-time European champion with a club fighting to stay in the top flight, but that’s exactly what Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City delivers. One side owns two European Cups and a proud history; the other has spent a decade assembling one of the most dominant squads England has ever seen. This preview sorts out where to watch the game, why the head-to-head record tells only part of the story, and what each club’s history says about the stakes on the pitch.

Most recent meeting: Manchester City 2-2 Nottingham Forest (4 March 2026) ·
Nottingham Forest’s biggest rival: Derby County ·
Manchester City’s biggest rival: Liverpool (according to Pep Guardiola) ·
Kevin De Bruyne’s squad number: 17

Six key facts that shape the narrative of this fixture, from trophies to tactical setup.

Is Forest V Man City on TV?

Which TV channel is broadcasting the match?

• In the UK, the match is broadcast live on Sky Sports (NBC Sports broadcast guide).
• Kick-off time and date: 4 March 2026, with coverage starting 30 minutes before the whistle.
• Streaming is available via NOW TV for UK viewers without a full Sky subscription.

What are the streaming options?

• NOW TV day passes offer flexible access to Sky Sports channels.
• International viewers can check local broadcast partners via the Premier League’s official website.
• Highlights are typically uploaded to the Premier League YouTube channel within hours of full-time.

The implication: if you’re in the UK and don’t have Sky, a NOW TV day pass is the most cost-effective route for a single match.

Has Nottm Forest won the UCL?

How many European Cups have Nottingham Forest won?

• Nottingham Forest have won the European Cup twice – in 1979 and 1980 (SportsMole historical database).
• They remain one of only six English clubs to have lifted the competition.

When did Nottingham Forest win the European Cup?

• 1979: Forest defeated Malmö FF 1-0 in Munich.
• 1980: Forest beat Hamburger SV 1-0 in Madrid.
• Both finals were managed by Brian Clough, who built the side after taking over when Forest were in the second division.

What this means: Forest’s European double is a historical anomaly that no modern Premier League newcomer has matched. It gives the club a unique stature that the current league table doesn’t reflect.

Which team beat Man City the most?

What is Manchester City’s worst head-to-head record?

• In the Premier League era, Liverpool have beaten Manchester City more times than any other club (NBC Sports broadcast guide).
• Pep Guardiola himself has called Liverpool City’s “biggest rival” during his tenure.
• Across all competitions, Arsenal also hold a strong historical record against City, especially in the pre-Guardiola era.

Which teams have a positive record against Manchester City?

• Liverpool have a winning record against City in Premier League history.
• Arsenal and Manchester United also have positive or level records over the full span of their meetings.
• Nottingham Forest, despite being the older club, trail City 46-34 in all-time wins (SportsMole historical database).

The trade-off: City’s dominance over most opponents is well documented, but Liverpool’s ability to disrupt Guardiola’s system remains the benchmark for anyone hoping to take points off the champions.

Who are Nottingham Forest’s biggest rivals?

Who is Nottingham Forest’s main rival?

• Derby County is universally recognised as Nottingham Forest’s biggest rival.
• The fixture is known as the East Midlands derby, one of the oldest rivalries in English football.

Is Derby County Nottingham Forest’s biggest rival?

• Yes – the rivalry dates back to the 19th century, with both clubs based roughly 15 miles apart.
• Matches between the two are fiercely contested, though they have not met in the Premier League since Derby’s relegation in 2008.
• Other rivals include Leicester City and, to a lesser extent, Leeds United.

Why this matters: Rivalries shape a club’s culture as much as trophies do. Forest’s identity is rooted in beating Derby and, for older fans, in those European nights under Brian Clough.

What is the prediction for Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City?

What is the expected scoreline?

• Manchester City are favourites given their squad depth and recent head-to-head record: City have won 4 of the last 5 meetings (AiScore match stats).
• Nottingham Forest have shown resilience, earning a 2-2 draw at the Etihad in March 2026.
• A narrow City win (2-1 or 3-1) is the most likely outcome based on form.

Who are the key players to watch?

• Erling Haaland (Man City) – scored a hat-trick in 38 minutes against Forest in August 2022 (SportsMole historical database).
• Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest) – Forest’s creative hub and most likely source of an upset.
• Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) – even if not at his peak, his vision remains City’s trump card.

Three head-to-head patterns that tell the story of this fixture: recent form, historical dominance, and the gap in squad value.

For Nottingham Forest, the gap between past glory and present reality is the story of the club right now. They carry two European Cups in their trophy cabinet while fighting to stay in the Premier League. Manchester City, by contrast, are chasing a fourth consecutive title – a measure of how different the two clubs’ trajectories have been. But the 2-2 draw in March 2026 showed that Forest can hurt City, and with Haaland and De Bruyne not getting any younger, the window for an upset is real. For Forest fans watching at home or at the City Ground, the choice is clear: believe in the history that made the club famous, or accept the relegation fight that defines the present. The Premier League table doesn’t care about 1979 – but the players might just summon a bit of that old magic anyway.

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