Prediction: Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest

Verdict: Newcastle win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Desperate to claim a crucial Boxing Day boost on Tuesday lunchtime, Newcastle will welcome Nottingham Forest to St. James’ Park.

Newcastle

Starting with the hosts, while Newcastle might have made real history last season as they got their hands on a famous top-four finish, the Magpies do have the feel of a squad seeking a welcomed boost. Crashing out of the Champions League earlier in the month and with no European adventure on the horizon for the New Year, Eddie Howe has found some growing speculation over his position in the St. James’ Park dugout. Last seen over the weekend putting in a toothless display as they slumped to a shock 1-0 loss at the hands of relegation scrappers Luton, the former Bournemouth boss has remarkably seen his side lose six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. However, smelling the chance to make a crucial return to winning ways on Boxing Day, Newcastle will be excited y their continued success on home soil. In fact, Tuesday’s hosts have not suffered a single domestic defeat at St. James’ Park since the end of August.

Team News

Limping off against Luton over the weekend with a suspected muscle injury, Newcastle are sweating over the fitness of skipper Jamaal Lascelles. Likewise, Newcastle will once again be without the likes of Harvey Barnes, Nick Pope, Joe Willck, Jacob Murphy, Matt Targett and Joelinton on Boxing Day.

However, returning from his own respective knock on Saturday afternoon, Swedish international Alexander Isak could make a full return here. Former Southampton defender Valentino Livramento could replace Dan Burn at left-back in midweek.

Nottingham Forest

As for the visitors, getting Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure off with a last-gasp 3-2 defeat at home against Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest find themselves at the heart of a public crisis. Continuing to show a string of issues this season and at the heart of a relegation scrap, the former Tottenham boss appears to have a major job on his hands at the City Ground. Opening Tuesday’s trip to the north east holding just a two-point buffer from slipping into the drip zone, Forest have collected just a single point from any of their previous seven Premier League appearances on the spin. With their nightmare blip stemming all the way back to November 11th, the Boxing Day host have also continued to show some glaring defensive struggles. Opening December with a woeful 5-0 drumming at the hands of Fulham, Santo’s new squad have shipped 18 strikes on their seven-match winless run.

Team News

Shown what was a hugely controversial red card during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat against Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest will be without the suspended Willy Boly on Tuesday lunchtime. All still dealing with respective injury issues, Santo will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Serge Aurier, Taiwo Awoniyi and Ibrahim Sangare this weekend.

Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike at the City Ground a few days ago and notching a first Premier League strike sent the end of October, former Newcastle striker Chris Wood will spearhead Forest’s charge on Boxing Day.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Newcastle and Nottingham Forest last met back on March 17th, the Magpies picked up a 2-1 victory at the City Ground.
• Howe’s men have lost six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
• However, Newcastle have suffered just a single Premier League defeat at St. James’ Park since the end of August.
• Nottingham Forest have collected just a single point from any of their previous seven Premier League appearances.
• Likewise, Santo’s new squad have collected just a single domestic victory since back on September 3rd.

Conclusion

Enduring what has been a public struggle over the past month and losing six of their previous seven appearances across all fronts, Newcastle will know the importance of claiming a crucial boost here. However, gaining a reputation for their extended success on home soil and suffering just a single Premier League defeat at St. James’ Park since the end of August, the Magpies should be smelling a golden opportunity on Boxing Day. Landing a 2-1 win when they last met Nottingham Forest back on March 17th, we are expecting a similar outcome on Tuesday lunchtime.

Verdict: Newcastle win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Dachbet