Nottingham Forest (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

Merry Christmas! To all of our readers and Newcastle fans across the world, we hope you have a lovely time and a happy 2024.

In our final game of 2023, we end with a Boxing Day clash with Nottingham Forest; and it feels like an absolutely massive match. We handed Luton an early Christmas present with yet another awful away performance on Saturday and must bounce back here ahead of a tough run of fixtures to come.

Forest arrive with a new manager in Nuno Espirito Santo, who got off to a losing start over the weekend in a 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth. They’ve been equaully poor on the road this season, but our form at St James’ Park has never been a problem. It’s been sensational all year and it’s vital that continues, giving us a platform to build on and much-needed three points ahead of a January featuring Liverpool, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Man City.

Team news

Jamaal Lascelles is a major doubt to face his former club after he was forced off at Luton, but Joelinton could return after missing defeats to Chelsea and Luton with a hamstring issue. Sven Botman and Alexander Isak are in contention to start after coming off the bench on Saturday.

Elsewhere, the likes of Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Sandro Tonali and Javier Manquillo remain out.

For Forest, Willy Boly is suspended after his controversial red card on Saturday and Serge Aurier is a doubt, with Felipe, Ibrahima Sangare, Taiwo Awoniyi all ruled out, meaning we could see former Mag Chris Wood start up top. 

Predicted XI: Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento– Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Forest have collected just five points on the road all season, while our record on home turf has been imperious, seeing us pick up 24 points from a possible 27. We need to see a respond after a really damaging few weeks and I think we’ll get one.

Isak to get back amongst the…

Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2023/12/25/nottingham-forest-h-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-possible-line-ups-prediction-2/

Author : Olly Hawkins

Publish date : 2023-12-25 15:00:31

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