The City Ground is the host venue on Friday night as Newcastle United visit Nottingham Forest in the latest instalment of the Premier League.
The Magpies recorded their first win in the Premier League since January on Sunday night as they defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers under the lights at St James’ Park. A result which saw them leapfrog Liverpool into fifth position as they keep their ambition of qualifying for European football alive.
Swedish striker Alexander Isak opened the scoring after 26minutes with a header that would of made Alan Shearer proud. Hwang Hee-Chan levelled things up in the 70th minute but only nine minutes later it was fan favourite Miguel Almiron who fired home to send the Geordie faithful home happy.
Eddie Howe’s side have not won away from home in any of their last five league games and have only scored once in the process. They may be the best defence in the Premier League but they have conceded in each of their five league matches. Steve Cooper’s Forest side have scored in 12 of their last 13 matches at the City Ground this season and they will be wanting to continue that on Friday.
Despite not being beaten on home soil since October, Forest have only won once in their last seven top-flight fixtures and they find themselves fighting in a hotly contested relegation battle. This is one of the closest battles in years as only just five points separate the bottom nine teams in the league.
Nottingham we’re well and truly beaten last weekend at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Harry Kane grabbed a brace and Son Heung-Min got himself on the scoresheet for the hosts, Joe Worrall scored a mere consolation goal in the final ten minutes for the visitors.
Despite the loss last weekend, they remain 14th in the league but are only two points above the relegation zone. The Tricky Trees have beaten Newcastle in their last two home meetings so they will be confident they can make it a third as they aim to climb away from the relegation zone.
Nottingham Forest Team News: Wayne Hennessey, Brennan Johnson and Chris Wood are doubtful for Fridays clash. Dean Henderson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Willy Boly, Scott McKenna, Giulian Biancone and Omar Richards remain in the treatment room. Emmanuel Dennis and Andrew Ayew will be hoping to start, so will Jesse Lingard and Ryan Yates. Jonjo Shelvey could feature against his former side.
Newcastle Team News: Joelinton serves the last of his two game suspension so he will miss out. Anthony Gordon has picked up an ankle injury and will be out until after the international break. Joe Willock, Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff are set to be named in the centre of the park once more. Jacob Murphy will face competition from Miguel Almiron for a place out wide, the latter scored the winning goal last weekend to make it 11 premier league goals this season for him. Alexander Isak is set to start ahead of Callum Wilson.
Sutty’s Match Prediction: With a number of key players out for Steve Cooper’s side, I expect Newcastle to have enough quality to return north with the three points. The Magpies will be on a high following their win last weekend and they will be hoping to get their quest for European football next season back on track. My score prediction is Nottingham Forest 0 Newcastle United 2.
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