Manchester City are looking for another Premier League victory against Nottingham Forest and Pep Guardiola is well aware there is no room for complacency.
Nottingham Forest are a team just one point above the relegation zone after recently hiring their fourth manager of the season.
Therefore on paper, Manchester City should easily be taking three points when the two teams meet on Wednesday night.
However, Forest are also a club who recently made it through to the Europa League last 16, so is Man City’s task this week really that simple?
Nottingham Forest will provide a tough test for Nottingham Forest
Gone are the days when the big six reigned supreme in the Premier League, with a clear seperation in between the other 14 teams.
These days, the English top flight tends to be more predictable, with even the best sides dropping points to those on the brink of relegation.
Pep Guardiola has recognised this pattern and he is being very careful not to show any complacency by expecting an easy game against Forest.
He said in his pre-match press conference: “The Premier League is so tough and difficult. Look at the results of the teams in the relegation battle against top teams, right now.
“Normally the teams are in the low [part of the table] for different circumstances and not expected to fight for the Premier League.
“At the beginning of the season there are always surprises. When we arrive at the end of the season normally teams at the top competing for Champions League places don’t drop many points. But look how many [this season]. It’s so tough.”
Guardiola added: “It’s really tough. Always I said that I don’t judge the teams depending on the position in the table, never. I know the quality that they have and this is what remains important to me.”
Nottingham Forest almost drew with Man City earlier this season
Man City defeated Nottingham Forest in December, but the scoreline was level at 1-1 until Rayan Cherki scored in the 83rd minute.
City have also come away with narrow victories over Newcastle and Leeds in the past couple of weeks, two teams who sit in the bottom half of the Premier League.
Guardiola is absolutely right to be cautious, as he understands what a team in England’s first tier brings to the table, even when they are enduring a rough patch.
By refusing to underestimate the opposition, City’s manager is providing his team with an even greater chance of success.
