Newcastle United will look for a return to winning ways when they host Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park in the Premier League’s lunchtime Boxing Day fixture.
Newcastle United will be desperate for a routine Premier League win over Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day to put some of their recent struggles behind them and give their fans something to cheer about during the festive period.
The Magpies were stunned at Kenilworth Road on Saturday afternoon in their last Premier League game, losing 1-0 to Luton Town, their third defeat in their last five Premier League outings.
Several factors can be attributed to their downturn in form, including a plethora of injuries. But they are coming into this game shattered and knackered. Eddie Howe’s side struggled to break down the Hatters just before Christmas, with the side dropping to seventh in the Premier League table, seven points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth and final Champions League spot.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, showed plenty of determination and fight even with a man down under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo, with the controversial decision leaving them shorthanded going forward for more than an hour. The Tricky Trees netted twice but ultimately fell victim to a Dominic Solanke hat-trick and failed to get anything out of the game at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest currently sit 17th in the Premier League with three wins, having won three games, drawn five, and lost 10 of 18 games. They appear to be suffering from the dreaded “second season syndrome” in the Premier League, looking more and more like a relegation candidate with each passing week. And it is unlikely to get any easier against a wounded animal in Newcastle United.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
It has been a difficult period for Eddie Howe, who, amidst a tonne of big injuries, has burnt out a thin squad through his inability to rotate. And he is now paying the price as the culmination of a bad run has seen them fall to defeat against a Luton Town side embroiled in a full-blown relegation scrap.
Sandro Tonali (suspended), Joe Willock (calf), Harvey Barnes (foot), Nick Pope (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Javi Manquillo (groin) and Matt Targett (thigh) all remain on the absentee list, while Joelinton (thigh), Jamaal Lascelles (undisclosed), and Emil Krafth (shin) are doubtful.
The former Bournemouth manager will almost certainly make a change or two to try and spark a reaction from his side following their setback at Luton. Jamaal Lascelles was forced off in the first half of Newcastle’s 1-0 loss at Luton and should be replaced by Sven Botman, who could resume his partnership with Fabian Schar at the back, with the pair now simultaneously fit for the first time in a number of weeks.
Left-back Dan Burn did not do too much wrong at Luton but lacked the energy and attacking threat that Tino Livramento can provide. Expect the latter to come into the fray here. Lewis Miley also came off in the first half, though that was a tactical decision by Eddie Howe, and the teenager will be fine here.
Callum Wilson really struggled to influence proceedings last weekend, missing a big chance early on. He did not hold the ball up well enough, and Alexander Isak could come in to replace him up top. Anthony Gordon looked knackered and was nowhere near his energetic best.
The electric winger needs rest, but Newcastle need him to pull through this difficult period with no rotation options available. Miguel Almiron’s one-footedness and wasteful nature in the final third will continue in the starting XI, with veteran outcast Matt Ritchie the only backup available.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento; Miley, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest will be without the services of Willy Boly for this game as the defender serves his unjust one-match ban for the red card shown in the dramatic 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth. Serge Aurier has sat out two matches with a calf problem, while Taiwo Awoniyi remains a long-term absentee and is not expected back until March.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo may also be without Felipe, who is still recovering from a muscular issue, while Ibrahim Sangare and Serge Aurier are also hoping to return in time for the journey up north.
Nuno is likely to deploy a pragmatic 4-2-3-1 formation for the Newcastle United clash. Matt Turner will get a start between the sticks. Moussa Niakhate will fill in Boly’s absence to partner up Murillo at the heart of the defence, with Neco Williams and Harry Toffolo on either side of him.
Ryan Yates will be a vital cog in the double-pivot alongside Orel Mangala. Callum Hudson-Odoi could also come in for Divock Origi on the flank following an impressive cameo off the bench against Bournemouth. Finally, in attack, Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White will sit behind target-man Chris Wood, who netted for Forest at the weekend against Bournemouth.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Turner; Williams, Niakhate, Murillo, Toffolo; Mangala, Yates; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Wood
Key Stats
- Newcastle United are unbeaten in all 10 of their Premier League matches against Nottingham Forest (W7 D3) and have won the last five straight games by an aggregate score of 13-2.
- The Tricky Trees have lost their last seven trips to St. James’ Park since a 1-0 win in the top flight in October 1988 under Brian Clough.
- The Magpies have earned just five points from their last 27 available away from home, but they are on a run of seven league wins on the spin at home, in which they have conceded just once.
- Nottingham Forest have lost six of their past seven league encounters and last won at the start of November.
- Nottingham Forest have won just one of their last seven Boxing Day league games (D2 L4), winning 2-0 at Hull City in 2019.
Player to Watch
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak was one of the major clutch driving-force behind Newcastle’s top-four finish last season. He came on as a first-half substitute at Luton Town after recovering from a niggling injury issue. But he is on a five-game goal drought.
He did have the ball in the back of the net with half an hour remaining, but it was ruled out for an incredibly marginal offside call. When Isak is fit and on his game, he is as good as just about anyone in Europe. So, he will be keen to return to red-hot scoring form as he looks to add to the seven he has scored in the Premier League this season.
Prediction
Newcastle United 1-0 Nottingham Forest
On paper, Newcastle United have the upper hand, as they boast far more experience and quality compared to Nottingham Forest. However, things are not looking good for Eddie Howe’s side right now. With their first-team players either sidelined or on empty tanks, Tuesday may be a great opportunity for Forest to try to grab some points from St. James’ Park.
However, the Magpies are considerably better at home, and their attack should thrive from the adrenaline rush in front of packed support against a shoddy Forest defence. The Toon may not be in great shape right now. But they should still have enough about them at home to beat a Forest side flirting around the relegation zone. It could take a long time to break the deadlock, though.
