Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo struck a positive tone when he faced the media after the full-time whistle at the Etihad Stadium back in December.

The Reds had just been toppled 3-0 by Manchester City but the Portuguese was upbeat. A few months down the line, his words carry added significance.

For sure, this game will allow us to grow,” Nuno said at the time. Forest have certainly done that

They were sixth in the table after that defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side. Now, with 11 matches of the campaign to go, they are third.

Even in a relatively short space of time, the Reds have made great strides. They have had some mixed results and performances of late, but City will still be up against a different Forest to the one they faced at the back end of last year when they make the trip on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off).

And one key factor Nuno’s men will have in the favour this time around is that they are at home. The role the City Ground can play in helping to get the Reds over the line in the run-in should not be underestimated.

Forest have not lost on the banks of the Trent since November, when they were toppled by Newcastle United. It is a cliché, but they really have made their home a fortress. It is their secret, or perhaps not-so-secret, weapon in the battle to secure Champions League football.

To celebrate the success of Nottingham Forest this season, we are writing a series of features celebrating events at the City Ground.

From the finances to the former managers. Looking at how the City is benefitting from what Nuno’s team are doing on the pitch.

We take a deep dive into Evangelos Marinakis and his aspirations for the club – can the Reds match them?

Nuno has spoken many times about the role Reds fans have played in helping to get their team over the line. Most recently, he referenced the difference the support made on Monday night when a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals was booked courtesy of a penalty shootout win over Ipswich Town. Spot-kicks were taken in front of the Trent End and it was no doubt a daunting prospect for the visitors.

“We proceed in our journey together,” Nuno said afterwards. “The fans gave us a huge help today, making the noise during the penalty shootout. It is not easy for Ipswich to take them and retain their focus with this noise. We are delighted for them.”

When it comes to the race for Europe, home form can be the difference for Forest. They have picked up some big results on their travels already this term, but the City Ground is something special – and it could hold the key to a top-four (or five, depending on how many Champions League spots go to Premier League teams) finish.

Six of the Reds’ remaining 11 league games are on home turf. After City, they have Manchester United, Everton, Brentford and Leicester City to come Trentside. And then it could be the stage for a potentially-decisive final day clash with fellow Champions League contenders Chelsea on May 25.

City will certainly not be easy this weekend. They might not be having the best of seasons and Forest might be above them in the standings, but this will still be a tough test.

Plenty of pundits had tipped the Reds to have fallen away by now. Some still continue to write them off and remain convinced they will drop down the table. Nuno has admitted himself it is impossible to predict what is going to happen week to week, let alone in a few months’ time.

Nevertheless, the calendar has moved on to March and yet Forest are still third. They are in control of their own fate. And most importantly, for the majority of their remaining Premier League games they will be able to count on the City Ground factor.