At St James’ Park, Nottingham Forest will aim to return to winning ways following their loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage. Meanwhile, Newcastle will be determined to bounce back after suffering a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in their last outing. Ahead of this clash, that will take place on Sunday, February 23, Kick Off Nigeria editor Ayomide Oguntimehin provides key betting tips and predictions.
Match Preview: Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest
Newcastle will look to recover from their heavy 4-0 defeat against Manchester City when they welcome Nottingham Forest to St James’ Park. Despite their recent struggles in the league, Eddie Howe’s men have shown resilience in cup competitions, securing victories against Birmingham in the FA Cup and Arsenal in the EFL Cup. The Magpies will be keen to regain momentum at home, relying on their attacking depth to overcome a Forest side that has been unpredictable in recent weeks.
Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, enter this fixture with mixed form, having suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Fulham after a dominant 7-0 victory over Brighton. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has proven capable of pulling off big results, as seen in their wins against Southampton, Wolves, and Tottenham. However, their inconsistency, particularly in away fixtures, remains a major concern.
Head-to-Head: Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest (Last Five Matches)
- 26.12.23 (PL) – Newcastle 1-3 Nottingham
- 06.08.22 (PL) – Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham
- 23.08.17 (EFL) – Newcastle 2-3 (2-2) Nottingham (Nottingham won on penalties)
- 30.12.16 (CHA) – Newcastle 3-1 Nottingham
- 29.03.10 (CHA) – Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham
Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have had fairly even results in recent years, but Nottingham Forest have had the upper hand in their more recent encounters.
Recent Form: Newcastle
Newcastle’s recent performances have been inconsistent, with strong cup results overshadowed by struggles in the Premier League. The Magpies suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in their last league outing, marking their second loss in three Premier League matches.
At home, Newcastle has struggled for stability, losing two of their last three Premier League matches at St James’ Park, including a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth. However, their recent 2-0 win over Arsenal in the EFL Cup and a commanding 3-0 victory against Wolves suggest they can be formidable on their day. With a mix of strong cup performances and league inconsistencies, the Magpies will be eager to rediscover their best form.
Recent Form: Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have produced a mix of dominant victories and frustrating defeats in recent weeks. Their most notable triumph came in a stunning 7-0 demolition of Brighton. However, inconsistency has plagued their performances, as seen in a heavy 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth and a narrow 2-1 loss to Fulham. Despite these setbacks, Forest have shown resilience, securing an FA Cup win over Exeter and a hard-fought 3-2 league victory against Southampton.
Away from home, Forest has struggled for consistency, losing two of their last three Premier League matches, including the heavy defeat at Bournemouth and the recent setback at Fulham. However, they have also proven capable of picking up crucial points on the road, earning impressive wins against Wolves and Everton without conceding a goal. As they head into their next fixture, Forest will aim to translate their strong home performances into more reliable displays away from the City Ground.
Player to Watch: Ola Aina – Nottingham Forest
The Super Eagles defender may not have been prolific in front of goal in his last five matches for Nuno Espírito Santo’s men, but he has remained solid in Forest’s defense. Ahead of the clash against Newcastle, Ola Aina continues to be a threat both defensively and in attack, making him a key player to watch in this game.
Related article: Ola Aina’s Future in England: Salary and Prospects with Nottingham Forest
Betting Tips and Odds
- Home team to win – 1.82 (1xBet)
