Man City won their previous game against Crystal Palace in brilliant fashion coming from 2-0 down to pick up all three points.
Against Newcastle, they were 3-1 down but still managed to draw that game and against Palace, they went down 2-0 by the 21st minute but then went on to win 4-2.
This season, Man City have scored 13 goals but the worrying thing for them is that they have also conceded five goals. Their defence has not been able to keep clean sheets in two out of their four matches and Guardiola has made it clear that they not only need to tighten up at the back but they also need to avoid falling behind.
“Yes, we have to try to avoid it,” he said in his pre-match press conference.
“In one turn it is good because in the past, in the last years, always when we were down we found it difficult to come back.
“We proved last season and this season we can do it but we have to try and avoid it as much as possible, to go in touch to try and handle this situation. It is risky. One day we won’t be able to come back.”
Nottingham Forest lost their last game to Spurs but they caused all sorts of problems to Conte’s side and if they give their 100% once again then Man City can stumble as well.
Forest have picked up four points from their first four games and while Man City are the favourites to win this encounter they will need to make sure that they don’t go behind again. Their luck will run out sometime because the likes of Silva and Haaland will not find the back of the net each and every week.
Also, Man City are currently second on the Premier League table so they have to win on Thursday to maintain the pressure on Arsenal. On the other hand, the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea are picking up pace so if Man City don’t win against Forest then the other probable will have the chance to catch up.
Forest have just been promoted to the top division so they have nothing to lose meaning will have every plan to frustrate the Cityzens by making the game scrappy. If somehow the visitors can pick up a lead then they will go into a shell making life even more difficult for Guardiola’s men.
