Nottingham Forest (A) Pre-match views, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

Last weekend's win over Wolves felt like a potential turning point in our season.

Had we walked away from St James' Park with another frustrating draw, it really would've felt like a crushing blow to our top four hopes. However, Isak's magic and Miggy's late strike lifted spirits on Tyneside, securing a well deserved win that sent us back above Liverpool; who we still have a game in hand on.

Spurs won last weekend and face bottom of the pile Southampton tomorrow, while quietly impressive contenders Brighton and Brentford closed the gap with big wins on Wednesday night, making tonight's trip to Nottingham Forest all the more important. It won't be easy, however, as the home side have lost just ONE of their last 12 games at the City Ground in all competitions.

If we do manage to take all three points, we'll actually have the opportunity to move above Man Utd on goal difference should we beat them at St James' in our first game back after the international break. I realise there's plenty ifs and buts involved there, but it shows the opportunity available to us over the coming weeks if we can get that second wind and kick on.

Speaking ahead of the game, Eddie Howe had this to say in his Thursday morning press conference:

"We're desperate for another win. That doesn't change. The mood has been lifted for the win. We'd gone a few weeks without that feeling - we wanted to return to our best and I felt we did. Hopefully we can build on it.

"We want to go into the international break on a high and with positive momentum. If we can get a result in this game I think we'll be in a really good place. I think it's an important game for us."

Team news

Joelinton will sit out for the final time as he completes his two-game ban, with Anthony Gordon (ankle) also ruled out.

Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff didn't feature in any of the training photos released by the club on Wednesday - which seemed telling when Howe confirmed a "couple of knocks" going into the game - but Harrison Ashby was spotted back on the grass this week.

Reports in Switzerland suggest Fabian Schar has chosen to stay with Newcastle, not represent his country, over the international break as he's managing ‘recurring foot pain.' If true, let's hope that's not enough to keep him out of tonight's match.

For the hosts, top scorer Brennan Johnson (groin) is ‘unlikely’ to feature and ex-Mag Chris Wood has already been ruled out alongside Wily Boly, Scott McKenna, Taiwo Awoniyi, Dean Henderson, Giulian Biancone, Wayne Hennessey and Omar Richards. However, Jonjo Shelvey and Jack Colback could feature against their former club.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Willock – Almiron, Isak, Saint-Maximin.

I can't see Howe making many changes from last weekend, especially when large parts of our first half display saw us play some of our best stuff of 2023.

At the back, Burn arrives on the back of a much improved display and should keep his place above Targett. Schar should be OK but may be one to watch if a reported foot injury is causing him issues. If so, Jamaal Lascelles will be waiting in the wings to step in against his former club.

Providing Longstaff is fine to play, the midfield three should stay the same in Joelinton's absence. Bruno's ankle is thought to be 'fine' and Willock will be looking to build on that outstanding display against Wolves.

Gordon's absence means Allan Saint-Maximin will more than likely keep his place out wide, with Alexander Isak deserving of his spot ahead of an out of sorts Callum Wilson - who was left out of Southgate's England squad yesterday.

Then comes the one change I'm expecting from Wolves. It may seem harsh on Murphy, who didn't let us down on Sunday, however I can see Almiron coming back into the side after a rest; especially when he bagged the winner in a hugely productive cameo last weekend.

Prediction

I am pretty confident coming into this one. Not only will we be boosted by last weekend's win, Isak's superb display and a confidence boosting goal for Miggy, we're also facing a Forest side set to be without their star man in Brennan Johnson.

Isak to get on the scoresheet again in a solid away win for Eddie Howe's Mags.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Newcastle