Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest Prediction, Lineups and Odds: 6/4 tip in the shots market

The first of two games on an enthralling Super Sunday sees Newcastle host Nottingham Forest in a crunch game for European qualification. 

Matthew O’Regan previews the game with bets @ 6/4 and 6/5.

Newcastle had a slow start to the season and were lingering in mid-table before nine straight wins in all competitions saw them fly up the league, reach the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup fifth round. Since this rich vein of form, Eddie Howe’s side have been inconsistent losing to Bournemouth (1-4), Fulham (1-2) and Manchester City (4-0) in their last six.

The Toon Army are sat in seventh and still harbouring top-four ambitions, trailing Manchester City by three points. Only Nottingham Forest (41 goals) have scored fewer goals than Newcastle in the top seven, while only Chelsea (34) and Manchester City (35) have conceded more goals, so Howe will be determined to iron out a few deficiencies if they are to climb the table.

While injuries have plagued them this season, Newcastle head into this game in decent shape. Jamaal Lascelles has been out for nearly a year now, while Harvey Barnes has been missing since January with a thigh injury. The injuries to starters Joelinton and Sven Botman will weaken the hosts.

Nottingham Forest have been the surprise package of the Premier League so far, sitting in third place. Nuno Espirito Santo has built a side that displays tremendous tenacity and togetherness – traits that have seen the Reds punch well above their weight.

Nuno would be disappointed with his side’s performances since the 7-0 drubbing of Brighton, being taken to penalties in the FA Cup by League One Exeter, while losing 2-1 to Fulham in a game the hosts dominated, drawing eight saves from Matz Sels. 

Forest have been boosted by the recent return to action of Danilo, meaning Taiwo Awoniyi (concussion) is the only absentee for Sunday’s crunch clash.

Despite playing the majority of the season in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a 5-0 loss at Bournemouth has prompted Nuno to shift to a back five for more solidity. The formation tweaks bred instant success instantly, defeating Brighton 7-0 in a stellar performance. They then lost 2-1 to Fulham, but it is believed Nuno will stick with the back five again,

Despite being a winger, Anthony Elanga has found himself in a front two with Chris Wood. The duo have developed great synergy, with the Swede assisting two of the Kiwi’s goals against Brighton. The 22-year-old has averaged 1.73 shots per 90 this season but has had 2,2,5 shots in his last three. Playing as part of a front two, Elanga should have more attacking freedom.

Alexander Isak is one of the most inform strikers in world football, scoring 19 goals in all competitions this season. The Swede started the season slowly but an eight-game scoring streak saw him steam up the top goalscorer charts. Now, only Chris Wood, Erling Haaland and Mo Salah have scored more than the 25-year-old talisman who is averaging 0.81 goals per 90 in the Premier League. Playing against a Nottingham Forest side who have conceded seven goals and 40 shots in their last two away games, Isak looks value to get on the scoresheet, as he did in the 1-3 win at Forest earlier in the season.

Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest Lineups

The starting lineups for Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest will be displayed in the graphic below once the team news has been announced.