🏆 Forest (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line up and prediction

This feels like one of the biggest weeks we've had - both on and off the pitch - since the takeover three years ago.

Points-wise, we've made a solid start to 2024/25 with four from a possible six, but we were really poor in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, struggled with 11 men against Southampton and have work to do to appease an increasingly frustrated fanbase over the final three days of the summer transfer window. The Marc Guehi saga has been painful and we're yet to sign a right-winger, leaving Eddie Howe without any first team upgrades.

Secure a quality signing or two, progress in the cup against Nottingham Forest and suddenly we'd be going into Sunday's tricky clash with Tottenham in good spirits - but this weekend's game at St James' Park could have a very different feel if the next few days don't go well.

As for Forest, it'll mark the second coming of Sandro Tonali - our £55m man finally free to play again for the first time since October last year - and see us line up against former Mags Elliot Anderson, Chris Wood and Matz Sells at the City Ground.

Eddie Howe’s pre-match comments

"Big challenge, they have started the season well, they have deserved the points they have got. I think you have seen a slow evolution under Nuno; a very effective counter-attacking style with a lot of pace in their team and good physicality in their team. We are prepared for another difficult game.

"Both teams will want to progress in an important competition. We will have to do better in the details then we did at Bournemouth, there were some good things but there are things we still need to work on."

"We will try and play a really strong team; we want to progress. We will make changes as well at the same time, because we have a squad that I think enables me to do so, while not weakening the quality, we saw the strength of our bench on Sunday, which made a huge difference.

"There are a lot of players eager to show what they can do. We are determined to do well; this competition has been good for us. Last year we were incredibly close to another semi-final."

Team news

https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1828477976771731591

Sandro Tonali is eligible to play after completing a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules. Howe spoke highly of the Italian yesterday, confirming he's fully fit, raring to go and get back to doing what he loves after a tough year on the sidelines.

Fabian Schar remains suspended and will also miss Sunday's clash with Spurs, while Callum Wilson (back), Lewis Miley (foot), Sven Botman (ACL) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) remain out.

Predicted line-up: (4-3-3) Pope – Trippier, Krafth, Burn, Hall – Tonali, Bruno, Willock – Almiron, Isak, Barnes.

Howe said "we'll make changes" during yesterday's press conference but insisted that we have quality in reserve now we are relatively injury free.

With that in mind, I think we'll see the likes of Trippier, Hall, Tonali, Willock and Barnes come in for Tino, Kelly (although he could play at centre-back if Burn is rotated), Longstaff, Joelinton and Murphy.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle

This won't be easy. Forest are a decent side who have not only signed well over the summer and kept their key players, but started the season with four points from a possible six.

I've got a feeling we'll see a draw before some Nick Pope heroics sees us win on spot kicks. It wouldn't be the nerve-free night we're all hoping for, but we'd take it if we make our way to the third round.

HWTL!