(Football news) Forest is only one point above the relegation zone at the beginning of the weekend, while the reigning champions start the weekend in second place in the rankings with a game remaining. Even though Manchester City is now ranked second in the rankings, it is assumed that they will take whatever necessary steps to win the Premier League for the fourth time in a row.

When Pep Guardiola’s team traveled to the Amex Stadium on Thursday night to play Brighton & Hove Albion, they were riding a 17-game winning streak in the top division, which dates back to December.

That undefeated run was swiftly extended to 18, Manchester City moving 3-0 ahead within 34 minutes on the South coast and eventually scoring four goals for the fourth league fixture in succession, becoming just the third team to achieve that feat.

With Liverpool losing to Everton earlier in the week, Manchester City now sit two points clear of the Merseyside giants having played a game fewer, but their focus will be on chasing down leaders Arsenal.

Manchester City will have one eye on the North London derby between the Gunners and Tottenham Hotspur that takes place before this meeting at the City Ground, yet Guardiola will stress to his side that they must only prioritise taking care of their own business.

Guardiola will also remind his players that they can unstuck at Forest in last season’s corresponding fixture, the East Midlands outfit battling their way to a 1-1 draw on that occasion.

Nevertheless, this is a Forest side that face a team that are unbeaten in 30 matches in all competitions when they have won just one of their last 10 games.

That came against Fulham on April 2, Forest having since collected just one point from three games against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton.

Forest responded to losing 2-0 to Everton by posting a bizarre statement on social media, questioning the integrity of the VAR official after three penalty appeals went against them.

In addition, Forest is awaiting the result of their appeal against a four-point punishment for violating the Premier League’s rules regarding profit and sustainability, which is anticipated in the next few days.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team has to first attempt to make it four games without a loss at the Manchester City Ground, where they have only lost seven of their previous 17 meetings on this well-known ground this season.

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