The XAU/USD remains in a defensive position above the $1,800 mark ahead of the release of the United States Nonfarm Payrolls report. The Gold price forecast suggests that market players are cautious and waiting for more clues before taking any significant action. The hawkish bias of the Federal Reserve, as well as the recent inversion of the US Treasury bond yield curve, are keeping the XAU/USD bears hopeful. However, the absence of any major surprises and the cautious market sentiment could limit any significant moves in the gold market for now. All eyes are now on the Nonfarm Payrolls report, which is expected to have a significant impact on the gold price in the short term.