Newcastle United is set to host Nottingham Forest at St. James’ Park on Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, with both teams eager to secure valuable points as they vie for European qualification.
The match kicks off at 14:00 BST, and it's especially significant for Newcastle, who are aiming to bounce back from recent defeats. Under the management of Eddie Howe, the Magpies have faced tough times, suffering three losses out of their last four Premier League games. Their most recent encounter ended disastrously, with Newcastle losing 4-0 to Manchester City, leaving fans concerned about their team's form.
On the other hand, Nottingham Forest arrives at St. James' Park with renewed hope, currently occupying the third position in the Premier League. The Reds are six points clear of Newcastle, making this clash pivotal as both teams chase their ambitions for Champions League qualification.
Forest’s recent performance has been mixed, with a narrow 2-1 defeat against Fulham highlighting potential weaknesses. Despite their position, there’s been criticism surrounding their defensive resilience, particularly after conceding at least 0.9 Expected Goals (xG) across their past eight league matches.
Last season, Forest managed to secure victory against Newcastle with a 3-1 win at St. James' Park on Boxing Day, giving them confidence going forward, though they will need to overcome their recent struggle for form. Nuno Espírito Santo’s team triumphed through good performances from key players and disciplined defensive efforts, but with only two wins from their last five outings, they are eager to return to winning ways.
For Newcastle, the injury list continues to pose challenges, with key players like Joelinton, Jamaal Lascelles, and Sven Botman unavailable. Alexander Isak, who has scored consistently against Forest, is expected to lead the attack, hungry to make his mark after going scoreless recently. He currently stands at 17 league goals for the season, showcasing his potential as Newcastle fights to climb the table.
Eddie Howe emphasized the importance of volume and vibrancy from his team, stating, “I want to see us attack, be very much ourselves, see our attacking players expressing themselves.” This captures the essence of what Newcastle needs to bring to the pitch if they are to successfully halt their current losing streak.
Meanwhile, Howe praised former player Chris Wood, now of Nottingham Forest, for his outstanding contributions this season — Wood has netted 18 goals for Forest, including scoring again recently against Fulham. “I think he has been outstanding,” Howe remarked, reflecting on Wood’s development since leaving Newcastle.
Nottingham Forest’s boss Nuno Espírito Santo acknowledged the difficulty of the ensuing matches, stating, “We are reaching the moment of the season where everyone will be fighting for their own objectives.” He emphasized the need for his squad to perform even more valiantly as they move toward the business end of the season.
The stakes are undoubtedly high as both teams look to gain ground. Newcastle currently sits seventh, three points behind the top four, and they will need to capitalize on any defensive lapses from Forest to secure the victory. A win here could define the remainder of their season and set them on course toward their aspirations for European football.
On the betting lines, Alexander Isak is favored to score anytime during the match, reflecting confidence from bookmakers about his current form and his history against Forest. Forest will need to rely on Chris Wood to continue his fine scoring run, but Newcastle's home support could provide the ultimate advantage.
With past encounters fueling the rivalry, fans on both sides are gearing up for what promises to be an intense showdown. Newcastle's home record against Forest has been strong historically, creating high expectations among the fanbase.
With kickoff approaching, all eyes will be on the pitch as Newcastle looks to secure points and revive their season against Nottingham Forest, who are questing for Champions League glory.