Home of football statistics and historyNewcastle United will bid to put an underwhelming start to the Premier League season behind them when they welcome Nottingham Forest to St James’ Park on Sunday.
The Magpies head into the weekend 15th in the standings, having picked up just six points from their first six matches this term, but the bookmakers, sports betting platforms and best non gamstop casinos offering sports betting odds all have the hosts as the betting favourites going into this game.
Eddie Howe’s side were defeated 2-1 by Arsenal on their most recent league outing, but bounced back with a fine performance in midweek.
Newcastle triumphed 4-0 at Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League and will be eager to continue in the same vein against their beleaguered opponents.
Forest have endured a miserable start to their Premier League campaign, winning just one of their first six matches. They are just one place above the relegation zone.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis sacked manager Nuno Espirito Santo in early September and his decision to replace him with Ange Postecoglou has not paid dividends.
Forest have yet to win under the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, and fans were calling for his head during their midweek Europa League defeat against FC Midtjylland.
Despite the clouds hanging over the Midlands club, Howe has plenty of respect for Postecoglou and believes he will get things right.
“They have a very strong group of players and I think they’ve had a slight change – they are definitely more possession-based and quite free in their movements,” Howe said.
“You look at the games and I think they could have gone either way. I think they have a good balance to their squad. Ange Postecoglou is an outstanding manager with a really good track record.
“We know this is a pivotal game for us going into the international break. Our Premier League record is really important to us – it is a big match.”
Sunday’s fixture will be a homecoming for Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson, who worked under Howe at Newcastle before moving to the City Ground.
Anderson has established himself as a regular in Forest’s midfield, and his excellent form earned him a recent call-up to the England national team.
Newcastle were forced to sell Anderson to comply with the Premier League’s financial rules and Howe admits that he would rather still have him at the club.
“I am delighted for him,” Howe added. “Every time I watch him there is mixed feelings. I am very pleased for him personally and his family, just knowing what a great lad he is and how hard he has worked on his game.
“But you see how well he plays and that’s where the mixed feelings come in, there is a regret that it is not for us. He is outstanding on the ball and a great technician. I love how brave he is. I hope his career continues to go from strength to strength.”
Newcastle have had the upper hand over Forest in their most recent league meetings, winning the last three games by a combined 10-6 scoreline.
It would be no surprise if there are plenty of goals this weekend, particularly with Postecglou’s penchant for playing an expansive style of football.
Newcastle have scored just four goals in the league this season, and will be eager to take advantage of Forest’s defensive deficiencies at St James’ Park.
The game presents a golden opportunity for Newcastle to pick up three points in front of their own fans and they are strongly fancied to get the job done.
Newcastle predicted starting XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Elanga, Woltenmade, Gordon.
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