Newcastle United will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games across all competitions when they make the trip to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Nottingham Forest run the risk of getting sucked back into the Premier League relegation scrap as they remain on the hunt for their first victory since the turn of the year ahead of the visit of Newcastle United to the City Ground on Saturday evening.
The Tricky Trees enjoyed a slight upturn in form under newly-appointed Nuno Espirito Santo, who seemed to have steadied the ship, leading his new side to an excellent 3-1 away win at Newcastle before their roaring home success against Manchester United. But they have since gone on a three-game winless run to start the new year, losing to Brentford and Arsenal before playing out a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth last weekend.
Callum Hudson-Odoi cancelled out Justin Kluivert’s early opener before Philip Billing’s 84th-minute red card, leaving Forest, who could reportedly face a points deduction for alleged financial breaches with the Premier League, 16th in the league table and just two points clear of Everton in the relegation zone ahead of this weekend’s matches.
The Magpies, meanwhile, were involved in an eight-goal thriller last time out, with Eddie Howe’s troops drawing 4-4 with Luton Town at St. James’ Park. Although it was not the best outcome, four days before their draw with the Hatters, Newcastle dispatched high-flying Aston Villa 3-1 to become the first club to win a Premier League game at Villa Park this season.
The Midlands side will take some confidence from their 3-1 victory on Tyneside back on Boxing Day. But they will face a Newcastle United side itching for vengeance. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Nottingham Forest
Nuno Espirito Santo’s task has not been helped by a growing absentee list, with Ivory Coast duo Willy Boly, and Ibrahim Sangare preparing to face Nigeria’s Ola Aina in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Gonzalo Montiel have emerged as doubts after sustaining knocks in midweek. Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates are available for selection after serving suspensions last time out.
Cheikhou Kouyate and Divock Origi returned for the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Bristol City, with the loanee striker scoring in a 1-1 draw before a 5-3 penalty shootout victory for Forest this midweek.
However, Chris Wood sat out of the Bournemouth draw and the midweek FA Cup clash due to a hamstring issue that could keep him out for two months. Wood has scored nine Premier League goals this season, including a sensational hat-trick against Newcastle earlier this term.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sels; Williams, Niakhate, Felipe, Tavares; Yates, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi
Newcastle United
Anthony Gordon injured his ankle in the draw with Luton last Saturday, adding another name to Newcastle’s already lengthy injury list featuring Nick Pope, Joelinton, Matt Targett, Elliot Anderson, Alexander Isak, and Sandro Tonali, the latter suspended for his gambling-related ban. Joe Willock and Jamaal Lascelles could at least return to the bench for Saturday’s game.
Howe has yet to confirm when he will return, but the winger will be an enormous miss if he is absent for the trip to the City Ground. Should Gordon miss out, Eddie Howe will be forced into a change, which will likely result in Callum Wilson coming into the side. Gordon played as a striker against Luton. So, drafting in the number nine would be a like-for-like change.
But while Wilson should start up front if Gordon is unavailable, the Englishman’s potential absence should also lead to a start for Harvey Barnes, who came off the bench to complete a late-saving act against Luton Town.
Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron started against Luton Town, and they proved more than ever how inconsistent they are. They both blew hot and cold throughout the game, and the latter could drop out of the starting XI here.
Howe may have to rely on the creativity of right-back Kieran Trippier and set-piece opportunities once again against Forest’s frail defence, while Valentino Livramento could be drafted on the opposite flank after Dan Burn was taken to the cleaners by the rapid Luton wingers in the last game.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento; Miley, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Murphy, Wilson, Barnes
Key Stats
- Nottingham Forest won the reverse fixture at St. James’ Park by a 3-1 margin and will be looking to complete a league double over Newcastle United for the first time since the 1977/78 season.
- Nottingham Forest have lost five of their last six matches at home in the Premier League.
- Newcastle United have not been great travellers this season, losing seven of their 11 away assignments.
- The Magpies are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight away games against Nottingham Forest (W3 D4).
- Newcastle United have conceded at least three goals in six of their last nine Premier League matches.
Player to Watch
Harvey Barnes
If Anthony Gordon is out, Newcastle United will need to replace a lot of goal contributions. The 22-year-old already has seven goals and eight assists to his name this season. Summer recruit Harvey Barnes returned from injury on Saturday and marked his comeback with a goal.
It was an important one too, as the 26-year-old netted Newcastle’s equaliser. It was a quick reminder of his ability in front of goal, which is the reason why he should be drafted into the starting XI if Gordon is unavailable.
And while Wilson can provide goals, he will benefit from the additional firepower that Barnes provides. The former Leicester City man will make Newcastle’s front three much more dangerous, and that is vital ahead of a fixture that Eddie Howe really needs to win after Saturday’s draw.
Prediction
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Newcastle United
It is never easy to guess which Newcastle United players are likely to play given the large number of players sidelined. But their form has improved due to a less demanding schedule, and they are the favourites going to the Midlands.
They might not have enough to stop the Magpies, who are in much better shape going into Saturday’s clash at the City Ground, having won three of their last five games in all competitions (D1 L1).