EPL drama: Khusanov in line for key role against Nottingham

Today, March 8, one of the key matches of the 28th round of the English Premier League (EPL) will take place as Nottingham Forest hosts Manchester City. This article highlights the significance of the match and the likelihood of Uzbek player Abduqodir Husanov being included in the starting lineup.

The “Citizens” Aim for the Top Three

Heading into the 28th round of the EPL, the two teams are close in the league standings. Nottingham currently sits in 3rd place with 48 points, having recorded 14 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses. The "Forest" started the season strongly and unexpectedly climbed the table, showing solid performances against top teams. They managed to draw with Arsenal and Liverpool and secure wins against Tottenham and Manchester United. In the first round, however, Manchester City defeated Nottingham 3–0 at home.

Manchester City, with 14 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses, is in 4th place with 47 points. A victory in this match would allow City to leapfrog Nottingham and claim 3rd place in the standings, given the narrow one-point gap.

Will Khusanov Be in the Starting XI?

Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov has proven himself with reliable performances and is highly likely to start today’s match, given injuries in the squad. City's key defenders Nathan Aké and John Stones are sidelined for an extended period, and another defender, Vitor Reis, lacks experience in major matches. This leaves a likely tandem of Rúben Dias and Khusanov at the heart of the defense.

Khusanov, named "Player of the Month" for February, has been earning the trust of coach Pep Guardiola. In the team's most recent cup match against Plymouth, Khusanov was rested alongside other key players, indicating his importance for today’s game.

Predicted Lineups

Several renowned outlets, including "One Football," "Sporting News," and "Opta," have released their predicted starting lineups for the Nottingham vs. Manchester City match.

According to One Football, City’s lineup is expected to include: Ederson, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Niko, Kovačić, Savinho, Doku, Marmoush, Haaland.

Sporting News predicts: Ederson, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Niko, Kovačić, Foden, Doku, Marmoush, Haaland.

Opta suggests: Ederson, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Niko, Kovačić, Savinho, Doku, Marmoush, Haaland.

For reference, the Nottingham vs. Manchester City match kicks off at 5:30 PM Tashkent time on March 8.