Prediction: Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to extend on their remarkable European charge this weekend, Nottingham Forest will welcome Newcastle to the City Ground on Sunday afternoon.

Nottingham Forest

Starting with the hosts, while Nottingham Forest might have spent large spells of last season scrapping it out at the foot of the Premier League table, the Reds have embarked on a sensational flurry this time around. With the mood around the City Ground at a red-hot high, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the country. Putting in another dominant display last weekend as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp at home against West Ham, the former Wolves boss has seen his squad win all of their previous three consecutive Premier League showdowns. Flying out of the traps since opening up the new campaign, Forest have also suffered just a single top-flight defeat from any of their first 10 appearances. Signing off September with a 3-1 victory away at Leicester, Santo’s high-flying squad also open this weekend’s fixtures remarkably sat third in the standings.

Team News

While West Ham loanee James Ward-Prowse might have missed out against his parent club last week, the former Southampton skipper will return to Nottingham Forest’s camp here. However, Brazilian midfielder Danilo is still dealing with an ankle injury and is not expected to play any part.

Once again finding the net against West Ham last weekend and already putting eight Premier League goals on the board, ex-Newcastle striker Chris Wood will lead the line against his former teammates. Nicolas Dominguez will partner skipper Ryan Yates in the middle of the park.

Newcastle

As for the visitors, while it might have been suggested last month that Eddie Howe has mounting pressure on his shoulders, Newcastle have certainly claimed a major boost over the past week. Extending on their EFL Cup adventure as they secured a 2-0 win against Chelsea on October 30th, the Magpies collected another heavyweight scalp last time out. Springing a real upset at St. James’ Park as they clinched a 1-0 victory against title contenders Arsenal, the Magpies will be desperate to use their recent success as a platform to build on. However, opening this weekend’s fixtures still battling it out in the bottom-half of the table, Howe’s side have a major uphill battle on their hands in the race to book a European return. Recording consecutive clean sheets against Premier League opposition for the first time this season, Newcastle will be looking to lay down their own marker at the City Ground.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance over the past month, Newcastle are once again expected to be without now-former England international Kieran Trippier. Likewise, still sidelined with a long-term knee injury, former Lille star Sven Botman will not be part of Howe’s travelling squad on Sunday afternoon.

Bagging the winner against Arsenal last weekend and now finding the net in each of his previous three domestic appearances, attacking talisman Alexander Isak will spearhead Newcastle’s attack. Former Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall should keep his spot at left-back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Nottingham Forest and Newcastle met for an EFL Cup tie on August 28th, the Magpies collected a nail-biting penalties victory at the City Ground.
• Including that EFL Cup success, Newcastle have won four of their previous five meetings against Sunday’s hosts.
• However, Nottingham Forest have won each of their previous three consecutive Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 7-1.
• Former Newcastle striker Chris Wood has recorded eight Premier League goals so far this season.
• Likewise, Swedish international Alexander Isak has found the net in all of his last three straight domestic appearances.

Conclusion

In a contest that tends to produce plenty of fireworks, neutrals will be hoping for another thriller from the City Ground. With Nottingham Forest winning each of their previous three Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 7-1, Sunday’s hosts are remarkably scrapping it out in the Champions League spots. It should be noted, with Forest and Newcastle seeing each of their last four meetings across all competitions finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Luckster