Nottingham Forest vs Man City Stats: H2H, Form & Results

Nottingham Forest’s trips to the Etihad rarely end well — but the 2-2 draw on March 4, 2026 showed exactly why Forest have become a genuine threat to City’s dominance. If you’ve been tracking the head-to-head record, the stats tell a story of one team controlling the rivalry for over a century, and another slowly closing the gap. Let’s break down everything from the all-time record to the latest xG numbers.

Man City unbeaten in last 5 vs Forest: 4 wins, 1 draw · Recent match result: Man City 2-2 Nottingham Forest · Expected goals (xG) in latest: 2.12 vs 0.97 · Ball possession latest: 70% Man City

What are the key stats for Nottingham vs Man City?

The March 4, 2026 encounter at the Etihad Stadium showcased City’s dominance in nearly every metric. Pep Guardiola’s side controlled 70% of the ball and racked up 21 shots to Forest’s 9, with an expected goals figure of 2.12 reflecting their quality of chances created.

Latest match stats

The xG gap of 1.15 in favour of City (2.12 vs 0.97) tells the story of dominance that didn’t translate to all three points. City’s average of 0.9 goals allowed per match against Forest contrasts sharply with Forest’s 1.38 conceded — highlighting the defensive solidity City have maintained. In duels won, the teams have been more evenly matched recently, with Forest showing more resilience in the air and ground battles.

Possession and shots

City’s 70% possession against Forest mirrors their general control in this fixture. In the December 27, 2025 meeting, City had 66% possession while taking 16 shots compared to Forest’s 7. The pattern is consistent: City dominate the ball and create more chances, though converting those chances into wins hasn’t always followed the underlying numbers.

xG and duels

The stats reveal City created more than double Forest’s expected goals in their latest meeting. Despite the lopsided metrics, Forest managed to escape with a point — suggesting City’s dominance doesn’t always translate to victories against a stubborn opponent.

Who is most likely to win Man City vs. Nottingham Forest?

City head into any meeting against Forest as clear favourites based on recent data. They’ve won 4 of their last 5 meetings with Forest and are unbeaten in that run, scoring 10 goals across those five games.

Current form analysis

The December 27, 2025 victory (2-1) demonstrated City’s clinical edge, with Teun Reijnders and Moussa Cherki scoring in the second half to secure all three points. City’s superior record reflects their modern dominance, though Forest were historically strong rivals in earlier eras.

Predictions and betting tips

Given City’s 63% clean sheet rate against Forest and their average of just 0.9 goals conceded per match in this fixture, backing City to win or keep a clean sheet has historically paid off. However, Forest’s 2-2 draw in March 2026 showed they can punish City’s occasional defensive lapses, especially if Gibbs-White and Anderson are in form.

Head to head edge

The historical edge is firmly with City: 46 wins to Forest’s 34 across 109 meetings, with City scoring 20 goals in the last 10 H2H clashes compared to Forest’s 8. Seven of the last 8 meetings have produced over 1.5 goals, suggesting entertainment is almost guaranteed regardless of the result.

Who won the game between Man City and Nottingham Forest?

The most recent fixture — Manchester City 2-2 Nottingham Forest on March 4, 2026 at the Etihad Stadium — ended in a draw. Gibbs-White and Anderson scored for Forest to earn a point that felt like a win given City’s dominance in the underlying statistics.

Most recent result

Earlier, on December 27, 2025, City had taken all three points with a 2-1 victory. The pattern across these encounters shows City create more but sometimes fail to convert, while Forest have shown they can steal points when it matters most.

Historical winners

City have won 46 of 109 all-time competitive meetings against Forest, with Forest claiming 34 victories and 29 draws ending level. City’s biggest victory was a 5-1 hammering on August 31, 2022 — a result that ended a 13-year competitive drought between the clubs. Forest’s biggest win was 3-0, achieved on multiple occasions historically.

Key moments

The most recent encounter provided drama: Forest looked second best for long stretches but struck twice late to snatch a draw. Chris Wood’s late equaliser on February 18, 2023, at the City Ground remains another memorable Forest fightback, while Kevin De Bruyne’s display in City’s 3-0 win on December 4, 2024, showed his enduring class.

What is the head to head record between Man City and Nottingham Forest?

The rivalry stretches back to December 1899, when Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City 2-0 in Division One. Across 109 all-time competitive meetings, City have won 46, Forest 34, with 29 draws.

All-time stats

The early meetings between these clubs came when Forest were the dominant force in English football. Forest’s 2-0 win in December 1899 was followed by City returning the favour with a 2-0 victory in April 1900. These early battles set the tone for a rivalry that has swung in both directions across different decades.

League Division One history

The all-time head-to-head shows City leading with 46 wins to Forest’s 34 across 109 meetings. However, City’s recent stranglehold is evident: in their last 8 meetings, City have won 6, drawn 1, and lost 1, scoring 18 goals while Forest managed just 3.

Recent 5 matches

In the last 10 Premier League meetings, City have won 5, drawn 3, and lost 2, with a goal differential of +10 in their favour. City’s sole defeat came on March 8, 2025, when Forest beat them 1-0 away.

What are the form and head to head stats N Forest vs Man City?

Recent meetings show City winning more ground duels (54% success rate), though Forest have been competitive in aerial battles, winning 13 aerials compared to City’s 12 in head-to-head analysis.

Duels and ground duels

In raw duels won across all recent clashes, Forest hold a slight edge at 46 to City’s 42 — suggesting Forest match City’s physical intensity if not their technical quality. Both teams to score has occurred in only 2 of the last 8 matches (25%), highlighting how difficult City make it for Forest to create clear chances.

Aerial duels success

Forest’s aerial dominance in some meetings reflects their longer-ball approach against City’s high line. However, City’s control of possession (70% in the latest match) means they face fewer aerial challenges. City have failed to score in only 4 of their last 31 matches against Forest, while Forest has failed to score in 14 of their last 32 matches.

Overall form

City’s recent form against Forest reads W4 D1 from their last 5 meetings, scoring 10 goals in those matches. Forest’s form reads much worse on paper (1 win in last 8), but their ability to earn draws — particularly the March 2026 result — suggests they’re improving in these high-pressure fixtures.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Five Premier League encounters, one clear pattern: City dominate while Forest struggle to convert chances.

Key Moments Timeline

A century of rivalry compressed into four defining moments that shaped the modern relationship between these clubs.

“The team showed incredible character to come back. We knew it would be difficult at the Etihad, but we believed in ourselves.”

— Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest player, via Sky Sports coverage)

“We created enough to win the game comfortably. The performance was good, but the result is what matters and we didn’t get the three points.”

— Pep Guardiola (Manchester City manager, via Sky Sports)

For readers tracking this fixture for betting or fantasy purposes, the pattern is clear: City create the chances, Forest fight for results they perhaps don’t deserve statistically. The December 27, 2025 result showed City’s ability to win tight games through individual quality, while the March 4, 2026 draw proved Forest can punish City’s defensive lapses when they arise.

Related reading: Everton vs Nottm Forest Preview

The recent 2-2 stalemate at the Etihad, where City grabbed 70% possession amid 21 shots, finds deeper context in the 2-2 draw report and key stats detailing performance metrics.

Frequently asked questions