Newcastle United is set to face Nottingham Forest at St. James' Park today, February 23, 2025, as both teams fight for coveted spots at the top of the Premier League table. The Magpies come off a disheartening 4-0 defeat to Manchester City and are eager to reclaim their form and climb back up the standings.
Eddie Howe's side has had a rocky few weeks, winning just one of their last four league matches. Currently sitting seventh, Newcastle trails fourth-place contenders by three points—a gap they hope to close with a favorable result against Forest.
Despite the recent setbacks, Newcastle has secured progression to both the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup fifth round, indicating their ability to perform under pressure. Nevertheless, their league form raises concerns as they look to balance cup hopes with league ambitions.
Howe confirmed on Friday no new injury concerns emerged from the City game, though he remains without key players. Defender Sven Botman is making progress on his recovery from injury but will miss today's match. "Don’t think Sven will be available. We will have to see how things stand. He is making progress, good progress… but not quite there yet," Howe said, emphasizing the need for caution with his return.
Midfielder Joelinton, sidelined with his own knee problem, will also miss this fixture but is expected to return for the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on March 16. Howe will look to field his strongest available lineup, including Martin Dúbravka, who is expected to start for the 11th straight league match.
Conversely, Nottingham Forest sits third on the table, boasting 47 points and only three points behind Arsenal. Under the guidance of Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest has enjoyed surprising success this season, with hopes of returning to UEFA competition for the first time since the 1995-96 season. They are determined to tighten their grip on the Champions League spots.
Recent performances have shown inconsistency, as Forest suffered back-to-back away defeats, including a recent 2-1 loss against Fulham. Nuno will be pleased to welcome Taiwo Awoniyi back to the lineup after he missed the previous match due to concussion protocols. The return of Chris Wood, who remains one of the team's leading scorers, adds offensive firepower as they seek valuable points at St. James' Park.
The last five encounters between Newcastle and Nottingham Forest show the Magpies winning four of those meetings. The teams last faced off at the City Ground on November 10, 2024, where Newcastle prevailed 3-1. This recent head-to-head advantage may provide Newcastle with psychological momentum heading onto the pitch today.
Newcastle's predicted lineup features the following players: Dúbravka; Livramento, Schär, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Gordon, and Isak. On the other hand, Nottingham Forest may deploy their squad as Sels; Aina, Milenković, Murillo; Danilo, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White; Elanga, Wood.
This match is pivotal for both teams. For Newcastle, it’s about re-establishing their push for the top four as they collect themselves after recent disappointments, particularly at home. For Forest, consistent results are needed to maintain their push for Champions League qualification, making this encounter even more significant.
Kick-off is scheduled for 2 PM GMT and can be watched live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Fans are sure to witness an intense battle as each side tries to assert their dominance and solidify their place among the league’s best.