Newcastle United eyes to stay consistent in the contest, as they face Nottingham Forest, to finally return on winning ways. These two teams are both coming into this game from their respective losses, making them eager to bounce back. Newcastle is from a 1-0 loss against Luton Town, failing to keep their momentum going. Fortunately, despite the loss, Newcastle remains to be at the seventh of the league table with 29 points. Meanwhile, the Forest is a struggling team recently, earning a 2-3 loss against Bournemouth. Moreover, the Forest are in the verge of the drop zone, sitting at the 17th of the league table with 14 points. The meeting between these two teams is on December 26, 2023, at 8:30 PM (GMT+8).
Newcastle United
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe is aiming for a second win in seven games for the Magpies on Boxing Day. After an EFL Cup exit, Luton secured a victory with Andros Townsend’s 25th-minute header. Newcastle has now suffered five defeats from six games, dropping to seventh place in the rankings. The team’s New Year party may be disrupted by a trip to Liverpool on January 1, but they can take solace in the fact that four of their five recent losses have come from St James’ Park. Newcastle’s home winning run in the Premier League has been impressive, with six clean sheets and one goal. However, no team in English league history has suffered as many Boxing Day defeats as Newcastle.
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles is at risk of missing a reunion with his former club due to an apparent thigh injury in Saturday’s loss to Luton. Lewis Miley was also an early withdrawal, but Howe believes it was tactical and precautionary. Lascelles’s absence could benefit Sven Botman’s chances of a recall to the XI.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest’s manager, Santo, faced criticism after a controversial five-goal thriller against the city’s rivals, Cherries. The decision to send off Willy Boly for two bookable offences was controversial, but Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga managed to save a point for the Tricky Trees. However, Dominic Solanke’s header in added time secured another three-point haul for the visitors. Santo’s anger at Boly’s dismissal led to Forest’s sixth defeat from seven games, leaving them two points above the relegation zone. The Portuguese manager aims to snap a six-match winless streak on the road, a goal that seems unlikely at Newcastle’s St James’ Park base, where they have not lost a league game to Forest since 1988, and the Magpies won the double over Forest by an aggregate score of 4-1 last term.
Howe and Santo can support defensive concerns as Boly faces a one-game ban, allowing Moussa Niakhate to partner Murillo. Felipe could return from a muscular problem, while Sangare and Aurier are touch-and-go. Taiwo Awoniyi is missing for months. Divock Origi’s start was cut short.
Prediction:
Newcastle United (1.5)
Odds: -0.95
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