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Manchester City face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime with the chance to go top of the table ahead of Arsenal's game against Brighton
Manchester City visit Nottingham Forest on Saturday aiming to extend their winning run to eight matches in all competitions. The Blues have cut the gap at the top of the Premier League to leaders Arsenal to two points as well as reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals and moving within touching distance of securing a top eight spot in the Champions League League Phase.
Pep Guardiola's side have found their stride in recent weeks but there is one potential issue on the horizon in the form of a triple suspension headache. Gianluigi Donnarumma has been one booking from a ban since late November while Nico Gonzalez collected his fourth yellow card of the season in the win over West Ham last time out. Captain Bernardo Silva is also one caution away from a suspension.
It means one more caution for any of the trio will lead to a one-match ban. That would be a particular issue in the case of Gonzalez given the lack of alternative options in the middle of midfield with Rodri and Mateo Kovacic sidelined. City would also miss Donnarumma's presence such has been his form since signing in the summer, although James Trafford is a capable deputy, while Bernardo has been an integral part of the City side.
The good news for City fans is that the trip to Sunderland on New Year's Day is the cut-off point for five bookings leading to a suspension. If Donnarumma, Bernardo and Gonzalez come through the next two matches without a yellow card then they would only pick up a ban if they collected 10 yellow cards in the first 32 games of the Premier League season.
A booking for any of the three on Saturday at Forest would mean them missing the Sunderland game while if one of the trio picked up a yellow card at the Stadium of the Light, they would miss the home game with Chelsea next weekend.
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