Newcastle United are back in action on Sunday.
Over a week after they beat Arsenal in the Premier League, Eddie Howe takes his Newcastle side to high-flying Nottingham Forest for another difficult game.
Newcastle will be up against it at the City Ground. Forest are flying right now and have only lost once at home all season, while Howe’s away record in recent seasons leaves a lot to be desired.
There will be reunions with Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood too, both of whom are impressing after leaving the club and making the journey down to Nottingham.
If Howe can claim a win, it would be some statement of intent – especially after beating both Chelsea and the Gunners recently.
Pundit Chris Sutton, however, does not seem to fancy their chances.
Chris Sutton makes Premier League score prediction ahead of Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle
Indeed, writing in his weekly column on BBC Sport, Sutton backed Forest to claim a 2-1 victory on Sunday and talked up the form of Wood in particular.
“In many respects this is a battle of two strikers,” he said. “I loved Alexander Isak’s header for Newcastle against Arsenal last week. It was a classic centre-forward’s finish.
“But this is the Chris Wood derby – aka the ‘Wood Chopper’ derby – and I am backing him to give Nottingham Forest the cutting edge they need against his former club.
“Forest are a team with good balance in that they set out not to concede but they also have players who can threaten on the counter.
“Their confidence must be sky-high and I see their good run continuing.”
How can Newcastle beat Nottingham Forest this weekend?
What Sutton is saying is hardly outrageous. Forest have been the surprise package of the season so far and Wood’s ever-improving numbers can hardly be doubted.
Still, that’s not to suggest Newcastle cannot go to the City Ground and win.
Geordie Boot Boys recently spoke to Lee Clarke of Nottingham Forest News and the Forest insider suggested Howe’s side might have success if they can win the midfield battle, though that in itself will be a tall order.
“Newcastle typically play a three in midfield, whereas Forest go with a two so that particular match-up could be where the game is won and lost,” he said.
It will be fascinating to see what happens, with the trip to Nottingham the latest stress test of the recent progress they appear to have made.
Claiming what would be a huge three points would be a fantastic way to go into the international break…
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