Man City XI vs Nottingham Forest: Rodri BACK - Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola makes Rodri decision for first game after Christmas

The midfielder has not played since early November because of a hamstring injury but he returns to the squad at the City Ground.

"I'm happy that Rodri is coming back to do the first steps,” said Pep Guardiola ahead of kick-off.

Rodri has not played since early November because of a hamstring injury

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“We had two or three setbacks so we have to be careful for the minutes for when he is ready. I listen a lot with the doctors and physios and he starts with the bench."

Guardiola has named an unchanged side from the team that beat West Ham 3-0 before Christmas.

City remain without Jeremy Doku and John Stones as they seek a win that would move them above Arsenal, who play Brighton later on Saturday.

In-form City front three Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden have been unleashed on Forest.

Haaland remains in fine form with six goals in his last five, and remain up top. Behind him, Cherki and Foden continue their impressive partnership.

Guardiola is unable to call upon Rayan Ait-Nouri or Omar Marmoush as they represent their nations at AFCON.

Oscar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic are still sidelined.

Elsewhere, options for defensive changes are thin on the ground. Abdukodir Khusanov could come in, but Guardiola will likely stick with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol for this match. Their experience should prove valuable against a direct Forest side.

Subs: Trafford, Ake, Rodri, Savinho, Khusanov, McAIdoo, Mukasa, Lewis, R Heskey

Injured: Kovacic, Doku, Stones, Bobb

Unavailable: Ait-Nouri, Marmoush

Time and date: 12.30pm GMT on Saturday, December 27, 2025

Venue: City Ground

How to watch: TNT Sports