Two clubs who endured contrasting fortunes in Europe in midweek meet at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon as Newcastle United hosts Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle earned their first points in the Champions League this campaign, as they cruised to a 0-4 success away at Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday night, an evening where our man Kevin landed a couple of winners.
Eddie Howe will hope that emphatic victory will kickstart their Premier League season, as they have won just one of their opening six Premier League fixtures.
The Magpies led Arsenal in their last Premier League outing, but late goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel ensured The Gunners left St James’ Park with all three points.
Ange Postecoglou’s winless run as Nottingham Forest manager was extended to six matches on Thursday night, as they fell to a 2-3 defeat at home to Midtjylland in the Europa League on an evening SlipsTips cashed in on goals.
That defeat in midweek followed up a defeat in the Premier League last weekend, with The Tricky Trees losing 0-1 at home to newly-promoted Sunderland, leaving them a solitary point outside the relegation zone.
How the bookies view it: Newcastle favourites
Newcastle have been installed as favourites to make it two wins in the space of four days, with BoyleSports pricing a home success at just 8/13.
The same firm has Forest at 15/4 to get their first victory under Postecoglou, whilst the draw is 14/5.
Head to head: Toon Army proved tricky opponents for Forest
Newcastle are unbeaten in each of their past four meetings with Forest, and did the double over them last season, winning 1-3 at the City Ground, before a dramatic 4-3 victory at St James’ Park.
Players to watch: Woltemade to nick another goal?
Nick Woltemade got the scoring underway in Belgium in midweek, as he deflected in Newcastle’s first of four goals to get their first points in the Champions League this campaign.
The new recruit from Stuttgart has also scored in each of Newcastle’s previous two Premier League contests at St James’ Park, and the 11/8 on offer at BoyleSports for him to strike on Sunday holds plenty appeal.
Predicted line-ups:
Newcastle are expected to be without defenders Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, as well as new signings Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa.
Forest look set to be without Murillo, Ola Aina, Douglas Luiz and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Newcastle United: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Elanga, Gordon, Woltemade
Nottingham Forest: Selz, Williams, Milenkovic, Morato, Zinchenko, Anderson, Dominguez, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood
Anything else catch the eye?
Newcastle have had a slow start to their season, finding it difficult to score goals following the departure of Alexander Isak, but their performance during the week could be the spark they needed to ignite their campaign.
As alluded to, Eddie Howe’s men won home and away against Nottingham Forest last season, scoring seven goals in the process, and a home victory and Over 1.5 Goals pays 4/5 on the BoyleSports Bet Builder appeals here.
Ange Postecoglou has seen his new side ship 13 goals in each of his opening six winless games in charge at the City Ground, and I’m expecting his leaky defence to be in for a tough afternoon at St James’ Park.
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