Nottingham Forest take on Manchester City women on Saturday in the Subway League Cup and Carly Davies is looking to get on the front foot early against the WSL leaders.
Forest simply have to win against City on Saturday if they are to remain in the League Cup but that is much easier said than done.
Can Forest beat City in League Cup?
It is no surprise to see Manchester City atop their group in the cup, but Forest are just one point behind after two games.
If Forest win this weekend then they can leapfrog the WSL leaders and advance to the knockouts. The quarter-final draw for the League Cup takes place on Tuesday, November 25th.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Forest boss Carly Davies is hoping that her team can get off to a quick start on Saturday.
“You have to go into every game trying to impose yourself on the opposition,” Davies said. “It’s my job to make sure that we don’t get too bogged down in all of their rotations and the quality of Man City.
Momentum building for Man City. 📈 pic.twitter.com/4s7lCt5tyz
— Nottingham Forest Women (@NFFCWomen) November 21, 2025
“We’ve got to make sure that our players go out there and feel confident to impose themselves, their own style and individuality. We also need to be respectful. They’re one of the best teams on current form in the WSL.
City are likely to make plenty of changes to their team for the cup clash, but with the international break now upon us some of their top stars may still feature.
Regardless of the team they put out City are in great form right now and will be a tough beat. Andree Jeglertz has been nominated for WSL manager of the month after a perfect November.
Carly Davies believes a ‘cupset’ could be on
Although City are a league above Forest, Carly Davies has faith in her squad causing another upset this weekend.
The WSL2 side has already managed to get a result against Everton in the cup this season. Forest picked up a point against the Toffees but weren’t able to secure the extra point after a penalty shootout went against them.
With experience playing against teams from the top flight, Davies is prepared for another defensive outing.
“We will set the team up to try and be defensively disciplined and hard to beat but we are also a team that likes to enjoy the ball. The message to the players will be to enjoy it, play with a level of freedom, try and express yourself and also, try and get something out of the game.
“We never enter any game wanting to lose, we want to win every game. You seen that against Everton, so we are looking to do the same against Man City.”
It would be a real shock to see Forest get anything from City but with a home crowd behind them they will definitely be up for a big afternoon at the City Ground.
