Newcastle United return to Premier League action this weekend as Eddie Howe welcomes Nottingham Forest to St James’ Park.
Newcastle United enjoyed Champions League success on Wednesday night, beating Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 away from home.
The Magpies are back on Tyneside this weekend, welcoming Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest to St James’ Park.
Newcastle lost to Arsenal last weekend and will look to hit back with a home win over Forest on Sunday afternoon.
Chris Sutton shares Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest
Ange Postecoglou’s appointment as Forest boss really hasn’t worked so far.
Forest still haven’t won a game under Postecoglou and they continue to leak goals at a rate rarely seen under predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo.
Newcastle will have certainly paid attention to Forest’s 3-2 home defeat against Midtjylland on Thursday night, with Postecoglou’s side continuing to struggle defensively.
Pundit Chris Sutton is now predicting a Newcastle victory this weekend, backing the Magpies to win 3-1.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sutton suggested that Newcastle will take major confidence from hammering USG.
Sutton believes Newcastle will create plenty of chances against Forest and will inflict another defeat on Postecoglou.
“Newcastle scored four goals in Belgium in midweek – the same number as they have managed in their first six league games,” said Sutton.
“Eddie Howe’s side are the joint lowest scorers in the Premier League, along with Villa and Wolves, so getting a big win like that will be important for them. They have lost twice at home already, but that was to Arsenal and Liverpool, and on both occasions to late goals.
“Yes, the Gunners were the better team on Sunday, but Newcastle had lots of chances against Liverpool, so they can definitely feel a bit hard done by.
“I am expecting them to get more chances here, because I think this game will be really open with both teams going for it.
“I am going to go with Newcastle to be wearing their shooting boots again, and keep Ange Postecoglou waiting for his first Premier League win,” he added.
Unleash Anthony Elanga on Nottingham Forest
Eddie Howe will be weighing up his Newcastle line-up against Forest, especially after facing USG on Wednesday.
On the one hand, Howe may be minded to rotate his side to rest some tired legs from the victory.
On the other hand, Newcastle showed great attacking quality in Belgium, and this could be a chance to build some momentum.
One man who will be desperate to start is Anthony Elanga.
Elanga joined Newcastle from Forest over the summer, but he has endured a slow start to his Magpies career.
Elanga dazzled against USG, though, and Howe must allow him the chance to back it up with another strong performance this weekend.
Forest look shaky defensively, and this could be the perfect time for Elanga to show off his pace and take Forest down this weekend.
Dropping Elanga back to the bench would be a major disappointment after his midweek performance, and he would surely love to haunt his former club on Sunday.
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