Premier League: Toon and Forest in Rude Health

Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest

Cast your mind back to Christmas 2021, and the reality for these two clubs was very different. Newcastle were 19^th in the Premier League table with only goal difference keeping them above bottom club Norwich City. Meanwhile, Forest were in the Championship, albeit only a point off the play-off positions.

The following month, and the Tyneside club, buoyed by the investment of new owners in the shape of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, spent big and spent wisely (including a New Zealand striker by the name of Chris Wood) and Eddie Howe’s men went onto finish 11^th. Fast forward five months and Forest had gained promotion back to the top-flight after a 23-year absence.

Now both teams are preparing to produce Premier League 2025 highlights placed seventh and third (yes, you read that correctly) in the standings. A turnaround of two clubs in rude health if would appear.

 

Talking Points 

This SBOTOP observer has been wildly impressed with Forest, who only secured Premier League survival in the final week of the campaign last season.

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has, quite frankly, worked wonders in “Robin Hood” country, and it has been a true team effort from a squad which has every right to dream about possible European qualification.

Although there has been too many to mention, I do want to highlight the super contributions of goalkeeper Matz Sels along with Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic, perhaps the best centre-back pairing in England to date this term. Then there’s Wood, third highest scorer in the top-flight with a tally only bettered by Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland.

Forest suffered a rare setback at Fulham last weekend, but they have largely been flying and put seven past Brighton without reply in their previous league game.

As acclaimed writer Henry Winter noted following an incredible scoreline from the City Ground, what a job the Portuguese manager is undertaking. Good recruitment allied to superb team building, organising, and man-managing by Nuno.

While Forest’s rise is against the odds, Newcastle were expected to be in the mix. Earlier in the season, I asked whether they were ready to take the next step and concluded that, with no European football to occupy them, it should be an ideal time for the Tynesiders to launch a challenge for, at least, a top four spot.

After three defeats in their last league outings, including a hammering at Manchester City last Saturday, games like this one could determine whether they, or Forest, achieve such a goal. 

 

History

November 1898 was the very first time these two proud English football institutions locked horns. It was a league Division One clash in Nottingham, watched by an estimated 8,000 people and won 2-0 by the hosts.

All of their meetings came in the top-flight or FA Cup until the mid-1930s when they met in the former Division Two.

I clocked that they actually met twice in 24 hours in 1957, a time when the traditional Christmas and Boxing Day league fixtures were a regular occurrence – winning one game each (both successes for the away side).

Newcastle have won five of their last six meetings, except for a Boxing Day clash at St James’ Park in 2023 which was the corresponding fixture last season. On that occasion, a Chris Wood hat-trick won the day after Alexander Isak had fired the boys from Tyneside in front from the penalty spot.

The Geordies edged a five-goal thriller in the return last February when a double from Bruno Guimaraes and one from Fabian Schar sealed the points for the visitors after Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi had netted for Forest. Newcastle have also won both meetings so far this season.

They triumphed in a penalty shoot-out in the second round of the League Cup in August following a 1-1 draw. They then won 3-1 at the City Ground in the league in November when second half goals from Isak, Joelinton, and Harvey Barnes cancelled out and overturned Murillo’s first half opener.

Overall, Newcastle have 56 wins to their name. Forest have 35, and there have been 27 draws.

 

Betting Tip

Our Premier League 2025 betting odds back Newcastle to claim a third win against the same opponents this term.

You can tip the home side 1X2 @ 1.70 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 1.79.

Forest, meanwhile, are priced 1X2 @ 3.81 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.12.

The draw @ 3.57 caught my eye, while if you fancy a few more goals between these sides, then it’s worth considering Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.07 and 4-6 @ 2.74. A re-run of last season’s meeting is on offer at a tasty @ 38.00 with Correct Score.

I think Forest will make life difficult for the home team, but I don’t see a repeat.

   

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