Fresh from their midweek victory in the FA Cup, Nottingham Forest return to Premier League action to face Newcastle United at the City Ground on Saturday evening.
The Magpies will be seeking revenge after they suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Tricky Trees at St James' Park on Boxing Day last year.
Match preview
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Twelve days after being held to a goalless draw by Bristol City in the FA Cup fourth round, Nottingham Forest required a penalty shootout to beat the Championship club on home soil in a replay on Wednesday night, following a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes.
Divock Origi's close-range effort eight minutes in was cancelled out just six minutes later by Jason Knight, but in a contest where both teams squandered several good opportunities, Forest eventually prevailed 5-3 on penalties to set up a fifth-round tie at home against Manchester United.
Nuno Espirito Santo's men have now failed to win any of their last seven matches in 90 minutes across all competitions, including each of their last three in the Premier League where they currently sit 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone.
Forest transformed the City Ground into somewhat of a fortress when they returned to the top flight last season, but they have had less success in front of their own fans this term and enter Saturday's fixture on the back of five defeats in their last six home league matches, conceding 12 goals in the process.
The Tricky Trees can take confidence from their display in the aforementioned win at St James' Park less than two months ago, and with challenging encounters against West Ham United, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion on the horizon, Nuno's side will be keen to claim three more points against Newcastle to boost their survival hopes as well as complete their first league double over the Magpies since 1977-78.
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Following a difficult run of form over the festive period, Newcastle looked as if they had turned a corner after winning three games out of four in January, but the Magpies were unable to claim a third victory on the bounce as they were held by Luton Town in an enthralling 4-4 draw at St James' Park last weekend.
Two goals from Sean Longstaff were cancelled out by Gabriel Osho and Ross Barkley in the first half, before Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo scored in the space of three second-half minutes to put Luton 4-2 ahead. However, the Magpies managed to rescue a point thanks to strikes from Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes.
Eddie Howe acknowledged after the match that his side has plenty to "work on" defensively, as they have now conceded at least three goals in six of their last nine Premier League games; Newcastle had only conceded three or more goals in five of their previous 72 matches prior to this.
The Magpies have slipped to ninth in the table and their hopes of securing another top-four finish are hanging by a threat as they sit 13 points adrift of Aston Villa in fourth, but European qualification is still a realistic target as they are only five points behind Manchester United in sixth and three points behind West Ham in seventh.
Newcastle's form must improve in the short term, though, if they wish to remain in the mix, and although their home defeat to Forest was an alarming setback, there is reason to be optimistic on Saturday as they are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight away visits to the City Ground, including a 2-1 victory last season.
Team News
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Nottingham Forest will have to cope without striker Chris Wood, who scored a memorable hat-trick against his former club Newcastle in the reverse fixture, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury; Gonzalo Montiel is nursing the same injury, which was sustained in midweek, and will soon undergo a scan, while Morgan Gibbs-White is doubtful with "pain and discomfort".
Ivorian duo Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly and Nigerian Ola Aina all remain away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, but Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates are available for selection after serving suspensions last time out.
Forest could hand debuts to deadline-day arrivals Matz Sels, Giovanni Reyna and Rodrigo Ribeiro, none of whom were eligible to play in the FA Cup – goalkeeper Sels is the most likely of the trio to start and is in contention to replace Matt Turner.
As for Newcastle, Howe has confirmed that Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak are ruled out of this weekend's game as they continue to recover from respective ankle and groin injuries, the former of whom was forced off at half time against Luton with his problem.
Nick Pope (shoulder), Matt Targett (thigh), Joe Willock (calf), Elliot Anderson (back) and Sandro Tonali (suspended) all remain unavailable for selection, while former Forest man Jamaal Lascelles (calf) will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Howe was boosted by the return of Callum Wilson and Barnes last time out, and while the former could be in a position to start as the central striker, the latter may be gradually eased back into the first team, so both Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron could retain their places in attack.
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Williams, Niakhate, Felipe, Tavares; Yates, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Miley, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Murphy, Wilson, Almiron
We say: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Newcastle United
Seven of the last eight meetings between these two sides have seen at least three goals scored, so an entertaining contest could be in store this weekend.
Both Forest and Newcastle are desperate to claim maximum points and begin a strong run of form, but considering that there is little to separate these two teams, who will not be at full strength, a score draw may be on the cards this time around.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
