Newcastle vs. Forest: Can Howe's Magpies Exploit Forest's Crisis?
Newcastle United prepares to host Nottingham Forest at St. James' Park this Sunday in a Premier League clash with contrasting fortunes. The Magpies are riding high after a dominant 4-0 victory against Union Saint-Gilloise in the UEFA Champions League, while Nottingham Forest are struggling with injuries and a lack of form under manager Ange Postecoglou.
Forest's Injury Woes Deepen
Postecoglou faces a significant challenge as he seeks his first win as Forest manager. A string of three league games without a victory, coupled with a Europa League defeat, has put immense pressure on him. To make matters worse, Forest are grappling with a defensive injury crisis. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ola Aina, and Murillo are all ruled out, forcing Postecoglou to field a makeshift defense. Midfielder Douglas Luiz is also unavailable.
The attack will be led by Chris Wood, but the striker has struggled to find the net under the new manager. Failure to secure a win at St. James' Park would equal the worst-ever start for a permanent manager in the club's history, a record dating back to 1960.
Newcastle's Momentum
Newcastle, on the other hand, are looking to capitalize on their recent Champions League triumph. Manager Howe emphasized the importance of ending a period of seven games in 29 days with a victory to propel United up the league table. The win in Brussels, Howe noted, was a “big step forward” and a positive response to a previous difficult game.
However, Newcastle also face injury concerns. Tino Livramento is set to be sidelined for eight weeks due to a ligament injury. Howe acknowledged this as a blow, given the number of games coming up.
Key Players and Tactics
Anthony Elanga, who joined Newcastle from Nottingham Forest last summer, will be a player to watch. Howe praised Elanga's contributions, highlighting his crossing ability and confidence. It will be interesting to see if he can contribute against his old team.
Predicted Lineups and Where to Watch
Nottingham Forest Predicted XI: Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Morato, Savona; Sangaré, Anderson; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Wood.
The Premier League fixture will be played at St. James’ Park on Sunday, October 5, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 2:00 pm BST. The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HD, with coverage starting from 1:00 pm.
Will Newcastle capitalize on Forest's struggles, or can Postecoglou's side find a way to turn their fortunes around at St. James' Park?