An anticipated matchup in the 2025 FA Cup semifinals sees an injury-affected Manchester City squad face a surprisingly strong Nottingham Forest side this Sunday, April 27, at Wembley Stadium. The teams have split their two Premier League encounters this season, with Nottingham Forest securing a 1-0 victory in their last meeting on March 8.
Manchester City, currently third in the EPL with a record of 18-7-9, are in good recent form, having gone undefeated in their last seven matches (five wins, two draws). Nottingham Forest, sitting fourth in the league with a record of 18-6-9, is coming off a notable 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET. Looking at the betting lines, Manchester City is favored on the moneyline at -140, while Nottingham Forest is listed as the underdog at +340. A draw is priced at +280. The total number of goals for the match is set at 2.5. For expert betting analysis and picks, SportsLine`s top soccer expert, Jon `Buckets` Eimer, has provided his insights.
Jon `Buckets` Eimer was SportsLine`s leading soccer expert in 2023, achieving a record of 248-234-12 (+25.93 units) on his featured article picks. Over a recent two-month period, he boasts a record of 260-133-1 with over 90 units of profit for his followers across various platforms.
Expert Picks from Jon `Buckets` Eimer:
Prediction 1: Under 2.5 Total Goals (-110)
Eimer does not anticipate a high-scoring match, especially given Manchester City`s current injury situation. With key striker Erling Haaland sidelined, the attacking burden falls more heavily on players like midfielder Phil Foden (7 goals, 2 assists in 25 appearances, 19 starts). Manchester City has scored two or fewer goals in seven of their last eight outings, while Nottingham Forest has scored one or fewer in four of their past five.
Prediction 2: Double Chance: Draw or Nottingham Forest Win (+110)
Nottingham Forest has made significant strides this season compared to last year`s relegation battle. They are now aiming for a place in the FA Cup final. Manchester City, despite their quality, has been somewhat inconsistent recently and might be prioritizing the crucial final weeks of the Premier League season. Eimer commented,
`Nottingham Forest has shown the entire league they are a force to be reckoned with, and I expect to see them give City a run for their money.`
If you`re looking for more expert soccer predictions for Sunday, beyond these key picks for the Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City semifinal, consider exploring analyses from specialists covering global professional soccer leagues.
Dominic Ashworth