AliousAn intriguing Premier League clash awaits this weekend as in-form Nottingham Forest host Newcastle United. Forest, defying all expectations under Nuno Espirito Santo, currently occupy an impressive third place in the standings.
The home side’s recent success has been spearheaded by Chris Wood, who clinched the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award after an impressive run of eight goals in ten games.
While Wood’s performances have captured attention, Forest’s overall improvement stems from a more settled squad showing greater cohesion on the field.
Both teams enter the match in strong form, with Newcastle fresh off a significant victory against Arsenal at St James’ Park. The contest promises to be an entertaining spectacle that should captivate neutral observers.
Respected pundit Jeff Stelling, tasked with predicting Sky’s Premier League fixtures, has backed Forest for victory.
“Newcastle do struggle on the road,” he told TalkSPORT, “and right now, every Nottingham Forest player is going to be feeling 10 feet tall.” Despite maintaining his belief in Newcastle’s top-four credentials, Stelling forecasts a 1-0 Forest win.
The fixture carries additional intrigue with Anthony Taylor appointed as referee – the same official who denied Forest a crucial penalty in last season’s narrow 3-2 home defeat to Newcastle.
However, Forest can draw confidence from their memorable 3-1 away victory, where Wood, facing his former club, claimed a magnificent hat-trick.
The striker, who departed Newcastle with little fanfare, went on to net 14 goals last season under Espirito Santo’s guidance.
Forest supporters will hope their in-form forward can once again prove a point against his former employers this Sunday.
Alious
