After several weeks of disappointment due to their seven-game winless streak, Manchester City gave themselves a chance to be positive by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola’s men put in a convincing display against Forest that was a stark reminder of why it may be premature to write this side’s Premier League title prospects off.
Jamie Carragher’s prediction about Manchester City is that Chelsea will finish above them in the league.
However, Manchester City will presumably be buoyed by such claims to only go and prove such sceptics wrong as they do season after season.
The Sky Blues’ line-up against Nottingham Forest was strong, with Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol all starting.
Grealish enjoyed Manchester City’s win as they returned to their domineering best.
Pep Guardiola confirms Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji injuries
Erling Haaland prompted Manchester City’s players to use their latest victory as a springboard for consistent victories.
De Bruyne’s message to Manchester City fans included looking ahead to their clash against Crystal Palace.
Looking ahead at City’s upcoming encounter against Palace, Pep Guardiola confirmed both Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji have suffered injuries and are ruled out of Saturday’s game.
Guardiola revealed via BeanymanSports: “We needed it. The club and the players, everyone needed to win. But it is just one win. The problems continued with Manuel [Akanji] and Nathan [Ake].”
“Nathan doesn’t look good. We will see tomorrow. He could not continue and we will see in three days what will happen. He could not continue and we will see in three days what will happen.”
“I am sad for Nathan. Manu maybe in Turin [against Juventus in the Champions League]. Nathan will be longer.”
With both Ake and Akanji injured, as well as John Stones ruled out with an injury, City’s defensive options are limited.
| DEFENDER | POSITION |
| KYLE WALKER | RIGHT-BACK |
| RICO LEWIS | RIGHT-BACK |
| RUBEN DIAS | CENTRE-BACK |
| JOSKO GVARDIOL | CENTRE-BACK/LEFT-BACK |
| JAHMAI SIMPSON-PUSEY | CENTRE-BACK |
As things stand, Manchester City’s only fit centre-back is Dias, with Gvardiol expected to play in his usual left-back role against Crystal Palace.
With that being the case, perhaps Simpson-Pusey could be tasked to play alongside Dias, with one of Walker or Lewis playing at right-back and Gvardiol playing on the opposite flank.
With Manchester City as thin at the back as they are, they would be hoping an upset is not on the cards against Crystal Palace.
