Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle tips and predictions: Entertaining Magpies to edge past strugglers Forest
- Thomas Ridley
- 8 February 2024
Struggling Nottingham Forest host the league's new entertainers, Newcastle United, in the Saturday evening kick-off (1730 GMT).
Eddie Howe's Newcastle have been up and down like a yo-yo in recent weeks, a fantastic performance at Aston Villa was followed by a frankly quite confusing 4-4 draw with Luton Town.
Howe will be looking for a repeat of the former as they put their dismal away form behind them with an impressive win against Villa, who had not lost a Premier League home game since February 2023 before the Magpies rolled into town.
The ping-pong style of the Luton match will have concerned Howe, with the usually solid defence proving to be very leaky in recent weeks, conceding 12 goals in the last four games.
However, at the other end of the pitch, the Magpies have been on fire, scoring 11 in those four games through seven different goalscorers.
Since these two last met on Boxing Day, Forest have struggled for form, with just one win in their last four league games and they have also had the disadvantage of playing an FA Cup replay this week, that went to extra-time and penalties.
Amongst the turmoil of a potential points deduction, Nuno Esprito Santo must galvanise his side as they are just two points above the relegation zone and they have a tough run of fixtures coming up; their next four games after this weekend are against teams in the top eight.
They are also without top scorer Chris Wood, who scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, but they do have Taiwo Awoniyi back, who scored against Arsenal on his return to action.
Forest have kept just three clean sheets this season and will need to be at their best to stop a Newcastle side who are averaging over two goals per game this season.
Newcastle will also be without their top scorer Alexander Isak, but Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes both made welcome returns against Luton.
Expect goals in this one as both teams have scored in seven of the last eight meetings between these two sides.
Newcastle's form has been mixed in recent weeks, but they should have too much quality for Forest here.
Team news
Chris Wood is ruled out with a thigh injury for the hosts, while Ibrahim Sangare, Ola Aina and Willy Boly are still at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Anthony Gordon is a doubt for Newcastle, while Nick Pope, Joelinton, Matt Targett, Elliot Anderson and Alexander Isak are ruled out.
Joe Willock and Jamaal Lascelles are subject to late fitness tests and Sandro Tonali is still serving a suspension for gambling.
Key stats
- Both teams have scored in seven of the last eight meetings between these two
- Nottingham Forest have not kept a Premier League clean sheet since November
- There have been 23 goals scored in Newcastle's last four league games, an average of 5.75 goals per game
- Newcastle have picked up only eight points on their travels this season
Suggested bets
