Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has admitted that he can't decide between securing a top-four spot and winning the FA Cup, so would like his team to do both.

Forest beat Ipswich Town on penalties in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday, setting up a quarter-final away to Brighton and Hove Albion, while they also sit third in the Premier League, two points above fifth.

Nuno's side are also one place and one point above Saturday's opposition in Manchester City, who themselves have similar ambitions after performing below expectations this season.

“I’m happy. I’m really, really happy," said Nuno, following Forest's penalty victory in the FA Cup. "We have so many hopes and in the FA Cup we want to go as far as we can. On penalties, the emotions are always high. I’m delighted.

“It’s a good moment. It’s important for the club to give it a good go. Now we have to focus on the Premier League but the FA Cup is always going to be on our mind. Brighton is going to be a tough game, but let’s give it a really good go.

“Every game is important. You know when it is a decisive game like this one and realising what is ahead of us, it is a huge moment for us as a club.

“[It's] tough to decide [between the two]. I’ll take both. Let’s go game by game. Nothing changes in the way we have to approach games. Now we have to focus on [Manchester] City.”

His opposite number Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, will be missing at least five first-team players for their trip to the City Ground.

Nathan Ake, John Stones, Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Manuel Akanji are all in the treatment room with City, with none expected to be available for the weekend.

"It's been like this the whole season, unfortunately, for the central defenders. Hopefully the young ones can sustain it and help us until the end," said Guardiola.

Guardiola has been pleased by the performances of Nico O'Reilly, who scored a brace in City's 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup last weekend.

The 19-year-old has made just two substitute appearances so far in the Premier League, though judging by Guardiola's comments, he could soon see his involvement increase.

"He is not a typical academy player. He is a physical presence. He is a number 10, I would say. He can play in a few positions and he is a threat from set-pieces because he is strong," said Guardiola.

"I'm really pleased for him because he helped us a lot."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood

Wood has been involved in 11 goals in his last nine Premier League games (8 goals, 3 assists). He’s also the only player to score for Nottingham Forest against Man City in the Premier League since their return to the division in 2022.

The New Zealander is fourth in the Premier League Golden Boot standings, with 18 goals in 27 appearances.

Manchester City – Erling Haaland

Haaland is second in the Premier League Golden Boot standings on 20 goals in 26 appearances – two more goals than Wood.

The Norwegian has also found form again recently, with 10 goals in his last 12 matches in all competitions.

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY WIN

Manchester City have won their last three Premier League games against Nottingham Forest by an aggregate score of 7-0.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are winless in their last nine league games against Manchester City (D2 L7) since a 3-2 win at Maine Road in the second tier in December 1997.

Following their 1-0 victory away to Tottenham Hotspur last time out in the Premier League, City have now won six of their last nine matches in the Premier League (D1 L2).

Only Liverpool (22) and Arsenal (18) have won more points in the Premier League in 2025 than Manchester City (16 – W5 D1 L2), with no team netting more often in the top-flight than them this calendar year (21 – level with Liverpool).

Forest were taken to penalties by Ipswich Town in the FA Cup last weekend, meaning that they are winless in their last five matches in all competitions inside the regulation 90 minutes.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nottingham Forest – 27.9%

Draw – 24.6%

Manchester City – 47.5%