Manchester City travel to Wembley to save their season against Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

Aiming to prevent their season from ending on a disappointing note, Manchester City travel to Wembley to face Nottingham Forest in a highly anticipated FA Cup semi-final. Favorites to win the oldest tournament in world soccer, the Citzens are relying on this tournament as their biggest remaining chance of a title this season, with only the FIFA Club World Cup remaining as their last chance should they lose.

Manchester City seeks title to ease season's frustration

Manchester City FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League | Molly Darlington/Copa/GettyImages

Manchester City have created a culture of success in the FA Cup in recent years by reaching the semi-finals of the competition in eight of the nine seasons under Pep Gurdiola. In this season's quarter-finals, they overcame Bournemouth in a landmark quarter-final clash to become the first team to reach seven consecutive semi-finals.

It's also worth noting that Pep Guardiola is at a completely different point in the season compared to last term, with 14 points from 18pts possible from the last Premier League games. The Citzens have won five of their last six games, with Aston Villa the most recent victim.

Once again, Pep Guardiola will have to find solutions to the absences of Haaland (ankle), Rodri (ACL), Nathan Aké (ankle) and John Stones (thigh). In addition, Oscar Bobb was unable to recover in time, and the presence of goalkeeper Ederson (groin) is also considered doubtful. Finally, James McATee received a second yellow card in the quarter-finals and is suspended by the FA.

Nottingham Forest's dream of returning to the final after decades remains alive

Tottenham Hotspur FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier League | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

On the other hand, Nottingham Forest are still dreaming of reaching the FA Cup final for the first time in 34 years. The last time they played in the final was in 1991, when Tottenham lifted the trophy after extra time. Under manager Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest should pose a big challenge to Manchester City as they are one of the most competitive and well-qualified teams in English soccer this season.

Nottingham Forest eliminated Luton Town, Exeter City, Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion on their way to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, but the last match was a real marathon with extra time and penalties after the tie persisted. If he progresses to the final, Nuno Espírito Santo will become the second Portuguese manager in history to reach an FA Cup final, equaling José Mourinho's feat.

Ryan Yates and Neco Williams will be missing from Nottingham Forest's line-up, who will still have to deal with the situation of Ola Aina, who could be sidelined with a calf problem, potentially leaving Nuno Espírito Santo without a left-back. Finally, Eric da Silva Moreira (ankle) and Jota Silva (injury) remain in the medical department.