Newcastle may have just been handed the advantage against Nottingham Forest 24 hours ago

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Newcastle United need to bounce back against Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening, and they might have a great chance to do just that.

The Magpies got a disappointing point last weekend, drawing 4-4 with Luton Town. It was a really underwhelming performance from Eddie Howe‘s side, who had to work incredibly hard just to salvage a point.

It was another setback during what is proving to be a frustrating Premier League season, with Newcastle’s Champions League hopes looking slimmer and slimmer week after week.

Next up for Newcastle is Nottingham Forest, who already hold a victory over the Magpies this season. They won 3-1 at St James’ Park, with Chris Wood netting a hat-trick against his former club. However, he will not be involved this weekend due to injury.

That will be encouraging for Newcastle fans who are still having nightmares about what Wood did on Boxing Day, and now developments on Wednesday night should give Toon supporters further optimism.

Nottingham Forest play extra time just days before facing Newcastle United

While Newcastle’s players have been on the training ground all week preparing to face Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were in FA Cup action on Wednesday night. They beat Bristol City to advance to the fifth round, but needed penalties to get there.

Forest had to endure extra time against the Championship side, which resulted in Morgan Gibbs-White suffering an injury scare. He was limping during extra time, and it remains to be seen if he will be fit for Saturday’s game.

Regardless, Forest will be nowhere near as fresh as Newcastle this weekend. And we know what a difference that can make, having been on the opposite end of the argument earlier the season after a multitude of midweek games.

Now the shoe is on the other foot, and Newcastle are the team that is going into games with decent rest and time spent on the training ground.

It might not be a decisive factor, but Eddie Howe will hope that it can give his side an edge at the City Ground – particularly in the latter stages.