2024-25 Premier League: Week 26 – Newcastle vs Forest

Newcastle United look to reignite their top-four ambitions in a huge Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest. 

Victory will see Newcastle climb up to fifth in the table, whilst Forest will stay third with a win or draw before Manchester City play in the teatime kick-off.

 

Team News

Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 4-0 defeat at Man City last weekend.

Sven Botman (knee), Joelinton and Jamaal Lascelles (both knee) remain absent.

Forest have no fresh injury concerns following their 2-1 loss at Fulham as Miguel Pereira and Taiwo Awoniyi remain sidelined with respective hamstring and nose injuries.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Newcastle host Forest at St James’ Park on Sunday 23 February at 2pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Newcastle have lost one of their last 13 Premier League meetings against Forest (W9, D3, L1).
• Forest have won one of their six previous Premier League visits to Newcastle (W1, L5).
• Two of Newcastle’s last three league meetings against Forest have ended in 3-1 results, with both teams taking one win apiece from those two particular meetings albeit away at each other’s ground.
• Newcastle are looking to avoid suffering three consecutive league defeats for the first time since a four-match losing streak between December 2023 – January 2024.
• Forest are looking to avoid suffering three consecutive away defeats in the league for the first time since October – December 2023.

 

Prediction

Having produced a lacklustre display in their loss at Man City full of defensive mistakes and uncharacteristic lack of attacking spark, Newcastle need to produce a huge improvement because a win is needed here if want to put themselves right firmly back in the top-four mix.

Forest likewise have a point to prove after a pretty wasteful defeat at Fulham but they can be forgiven for that display after their three-hour FA Cup grinder at Exeter in the previous midweek, but they need to write that game off as an one-off display and get back to their counter-attacking best.

Both teams therefore need to step up their game here but given Forest’s record on Tyneside, I fancy Newcastle to produce the stronger response but it should be a cracking battle nevertheless.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Forest