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

The final game before we break for yet ANOTHER international break and it feels like another big one.

It felt like our season finally took off last week after back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Arsenal in league and cup. It was huge to see a response from Eddie Howe and the players and perhaps the first time this term we’ve performed to our true potential in consecutive games.

The challenge now is replicating that on the road – and it won’t be easy against a high-flying Forest side who are strong at home and currently third in the Premier League. They’ve conceded just seven times in 10 games so far (only Liverpool have a better defensive record so far), have a familiar face in Chris Wood scoring goals for fun and a certain ‘Geordie Maradona’ bringing so much to their midfield in ex-Mag Elliot Anderson.

However, there’s a feeling that we’ve finally found balance in our side after some tactical tweaks from Howe. We have Isak scoring goals again, partnerships developing in the side, a midfield functioning far better and protecting a defence that was left far too exposed in our last away day at Chelsea. Those themes must continue at the City Ground on Sunday.

Howe’s pre-match comments 

Howe on his search for consistency – “Our away performances have been a slightly mixed bag as consistency hasn’t been absolutely what we want it to be.

“The Fulham game is a standout negative for me, where we didn’t perform at any level, and the other games we’ve seen really good bits within the games and some inconsistent moments. To win on the road, you need to have that solidity and energy right from minute one, especially against the teams that are in form.”

Team news 

Jacob Murphy is fit to return from a hamstring issue, but the game will come too soon for Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier. Sven Botman hopes to be back in light training in the coming weeks, although his return to first-team action may be delayed until January.

For Forest, it’ll be interesting to see if Elliot Anderson starts after Morgan Gibbs-White reclaimed his spot in the side for their 3-0 win over West Ham last weekend.

Predicted XI: Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Gordon, Isak, Joelinton. 

After a clean sheet in a superb defensive display against Arsenal, a performance which struck the perfect midfield balance, a left-side of the two Joe’s which worked a treat and a stunning goal involving Gordon (from the right!) and Isak, I can’t see many reasons why Howe would change his 11 this Sunday.

It will be tough on Sandro Tonali should he miss out two games running after he put in his best display of the season against Chelsea last week, but I can’t see him coming back in just yet, with Longstaff’s off the ball work and Willock’s combinations with Joelinton working so well.

Match prediction: Forest 1-1 Newcastle

Confidence should be high after back-to-back wins and clean sheets, but our away form has been a worry this season and Forest have won three in a row. They are rock solid defensively – Murillo and Milenkovic have been outstanding at centre-back – they are competitive in midfield, have pace on the flanks in Elanga and Hudson-Odoi and a reborn Chris Wood up top who can’t stop scoring.

We are more than capable of turning up, kicking on from last week’s wins and taking all three points, I just think this could be a low-scoring draw and decent point if we can go on to beat West Ham (H) and Palace (A) in our next two.

Howay the lads!