Nottingham Forest will return to Premier League action when they welcome Newcastle to the City Ground on Sunday afternoon.
After claiming a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa last week, Forest were unable to finish the job as they slumped to a gut-wrenching 4-0 defeat at Villa Park on Thursday night.
The one crumb of comfort for Vitor Pereira's side is their recent Premier League form, with Monday’s 3-1 win at Chelsea extending their unbeaten run to seven matches.
As a result, the Tricky Trees head into the weekend six points clear of the relegation zone, and another victory here would all but secure their top-flight status.
As for Newcastle, they will be looking to build on last week's 3-1 win over Brighton, which brought an end to a four-match losing run in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe's side remain in the bottom half of the table, but with the standings so congested, another victory this weekend could lift them back into the top half.
How the bookies view it: A tight contest in store
The bookmakers are finding it difficult to separate Nottingham Forest and Newcastle on Sunday, with both sides priced at 8/5 for a win with Ladbrokes.
Given that five of Forest’s last seven Premier League games at the City Ground have finished level, backing the draw at 13/5 with bet365 may be the smarter play.
Head to head: Toon tend to triumph
Across all competitions, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United have met 120 times. Newcastle lead the head-to-head with 58 wins, while Forest have 35 victories and 27 games have finished level. The Magpies ran out 2-0 winners in this season's reverse fixture, and the same scoreline on Sunday is priced at 14/1 with bet365.
Players to watch: Osula on song
Having hit the back of the net in three of his last four Premier League outings, William Osula looks worthy of support for either a goal or an assist this weekend at 6/4 with bet365.
One of the 10 yellow cards Elliot Anderson has picked up across all competitions this season came against former club Newcastle in the reverse fixture. The Nottingham Forest midfielder therefore looks good value to be booked again on Sunday at 7/2 with bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Nottingham Forest will once again be without the injured quartet of Callum Hudson-Odoi, John Victor, Nicolo Savona and Willy Boly.
After fracturing his fibula in training earlier this week, Lewis Miley has joined Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento in the Magpies’ medical room.
Nottingham Forest: Sels; Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Anderson, Yates; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Awoniyi
Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes; Barnes, Willock, Joelinton; Osula
Anything else catch the eye?
The aforementioned William Osula also looks worth backing to commit two or more fouls at 11/10 with bet365.
Across Newcastle’s last four Premier League matches, the Danish forward has been penalised a combined total of eight times.
Notably, the Newcastle attacker has been guilty of exactly three offences in two of those contests, so a repeat here could also be worth a look at 10/3 with bet365.
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