NOTTINGHAM FOREST'S home form is keeping them out of the Premier League drop zone and they will be hoping the City Ground can work its magic again when Newcastle come calling.
Steve Cooper's men haven't lost at home in the league since crashing 3-2 to Fulham way back in September, with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City failing to get the better of them.
That run has helped them move to midtable but Nottingham Forest are far from safe as they still sit just two points clear of danger in a fascinating nine-team battle against the drop.
Cooper's side have collected just two points from their last five so they need to start getting some wins on the board again, although it won't be easy against a Newcastle side chasing a Champions League slot.
The Magpies ended their own five-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over Wolves last week, in a match where my corner handicap bet came up.
That fired them just four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with two games in hand so Eddie Howe's men are right in the mix for Champions League football next term.
But they haven't won away from home in the league since battering Leicester on Boxing Day so they need to start picking up more points on the road.
How the bookies view it
This is hard one to call with Forest so strong at home but the bookies don't think so as Newcastle are odds-on favourites at a best 7/10 with Betfred. Cooper's side look overpriced at 24/5 with SBK while the draw pays 14/5 at Unibet and might be the best option after Forest's last two at home ended in stalemates.
Recent head to head
There has been nothing between these sides in the new millennium, with four wins apiece in their eight meetings. Newcastle eased to a 2-0 victory at St James' Park earlier this season but Nottingham Forest won 3-1 in the last City Ground clash back in 2018.
Players to watch
I flagged up Alexander Isak for a goal in Newcastle's last match and the Swede delivered by nodding home the opener. The big-money signing from Real Sociedad has yet to get a proper run of games in the side but could now push on if he stays injury-free. The Swede is 30/17 with SBK for another goal while Unibet price him at 6/4 for over 1.5 shots on target.
Brennan Johnson was the Nottingham Forest hero in their last home game, netting a double in the draw with Everton. The Wales winger is 5/1 at Bet365 for another goal here while McBookie price him at 6/1 for an assist.
Anything else catch the eye?
With both teams needing a win this should be an open game, with over 2.5 goals 19/17 at SBK while BTTS is a little shorter at 13/12 with the same firm.
I'm tempted to go for Newcastle again in the corner handicap as they won 11-1 on that count when these sides faced off at St James' Park back in August. The Magpies won by seven on the corner count last weekend so I like Newcastle -2 here at 10/11 with Bet365.
Miguel Almiron scored the winner for Newcastle against Wolves off the bench and that could earn him a start here. Unibet price the Paraguayan at 26/25 just to have a shot on target and that looks good value if he starts.
This English Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United will be played on Mar 17, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
