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Match preview
Can Newcastle claim another victory, thereby propelling themselves right back into the top four picture?
Last Sunday, Eddie Howe’s team beat Wolves 2-1 at St James’ Park, with Alexander Isak heading in an opener, before substitute Miguel Almirón fired home a late winner.
Bizarrely, this is the first time the Magpies have won any game in which they’ve conceded an equaliser since beating West Ham in April 2021.
More importantly, it ended Newcastle’s five-game league streak without a victory, also beaten in the Carabao Cup Final during this period.
Despite this disappointment, the Toon Army remain fifth, two points above both Liverpool and Brighton, knowing a victory here would leave them just one point adrift Tottenham in fourth.
This though will not be easy, given that Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in nine Premier League home matches, dating back to 16 September.
That made it three successive away defeats for the Reds, who’ve scored just four goals and taken just six points on the road all season.
So, home form will remain key for Forest, who only managed a 2-2 draw with Everton in their last home outing 12 days ago.
The Reds do remain 14th, just two points clear of danger, and would leapfrog both Wolves and Crystal Palace with a win here.
Newcastle have lost three of their last four visits to the City Ground, only winning two of 11 fixtures there since 1988.
So, will Nottingham Forest enjoy yet more home comforts in this Friday night fixture?
Nottingham Forest team news
Top-scorer Brennan Johnson hobbled off against Spurs last weekend and, if he’s out for any significant amount time, that’ll be an enormous blow.
Meanwhile, Chris Wood is ineligible to face his former club, although he’s also injured anyway.
Without both, Jesse Lingard will start, with the attacking impetuous very much on Morgan Gibbs-White’s shoulders.
So, with Taiwo Awoniyi out long-term, Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis could come in to lead the line.
Danilo is set to return in midfield, replacing the injured Orel Mangala.
At the back, with Scott McKenna and Willy Boly sidelined, Felipe will continue to partner Joe Worrall.
Fellow centre-back Moussa Niakhaté was on the bench last weekend; he hasn’t featured since August due to a hamstring injury.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Navas; Aurier, Felipe, Worrall, Lodi; Danilo, Shelvey, Freuler; Gibbs-White, Lingard, Bonaventure Dennis.
Newcastle United team news
Joelinton is serving the second of his two-match ban, after being shown his tenth yellow card of the season against Manchester City.
So, the midfield trio will remain unchanged, with Bruno Guimarães very much at the heart of everything.
Miguel Almirón’s goal off the bench last Sunday will surely earn him a start, coming back in for Jacob Murphy.
On the other flank, Anthony Gordon faces weeks on the sidelines, so Allan Saint-Maximin will keep his place.
Through the middle, after heading home his fourth goal for Newcastle against Wolves, Alexander Isak will once again get the nod over Callum Wilson.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schär, Botman, Burn; Willock, S Longstaff, Guimarães; Almirón, Saint-Maximin; Isak.
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United: Head to head statistics
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Premier League table
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