Newcastle United welcome Nottingham Forest to St James’ Park in a Sunday fixture that pits one of the Premier League’s most resilient defences against a Forest side still searching for balance.
Kick-off brings together two teams desperate to climb the table, with Newcastle’s knack for grinding out clean sheets providing a direct contrast to Forest’s possession dominance and defensive frailties.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on Newcastle’s defensive solidity and Forest’s underwhelming finishing despite strong creative numbers, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re especially confident in the home win, given Newcastle’s impressive head-to-head edge and Forest’s leaky back line.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle United to Win | 4/6 @ Bet365 (60.0%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | We’re backing Newcastle because they boast four clean sheets, whilst Nottingham Forest have struggled to start the season, winning just one of their first six games. Newcastle only hold one more point than Nottingham Forest but have made themselves hard to beat, drawing three games so far this season. Nottingham Forest have yet to find a win on the road this season and a tough trip to the North East probably isn’t the tonic they need. |
| Under 2.5 Goals | 11/10 @ Bet365 (47.6%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both teams average under a goal per game so far this season with Newcastle scoring four in six and Nottingham Forest scoring five. Newcastle have made their defence hard to breach too, conceding less than a goal a game too, although Nottingham Forest have conceded 10 times. All indications are that this will be a low-scoring game, with both attacks struggling for proficiency. |
Our approach: Start with Newcastle to win, add Under 2.5 Goals for accumulator potential.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest match odds
How both teams go into Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest
Things haven’t gone as well as Newcastle would’ve hoped this season, with the Magpies labouring to just six points from their opening six games. Their problems have stemmed from a lack of threat in front of goal, where they’ve scored just four times and have had three 0-0 draws in that time. They’ve been excellent in defence though, conceding just five times, two less than current leaders Liverpool. If Newcastle can find their groove in attack, they could become a problem for a few teams.
Nottingham Forest have had a tumultuous start to the season, with Nuno Espirito Santo leaving the club and being replaced by Ange Postecoglu. The change in head coach hasn’t changed their fortunes though, with Forest’s sole win coming in their opening game of the season. This has left them without a win in five games and only picking up two points in that time. Their three losses in their last four games have come without a single goal being scored and things need to change, and quickly, for Nottingham Forest.
Season Form & Standings
2025/26 season to date: Both sides have made slow starts, with Newcastle showing defensive grit but lacking firepower, while Forest’s expansive style has resulted in more goals conceded than scored. Here are the latest standings after six matches:
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle United | 15 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 6 |
| Nottingham Forest | 17 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 5 |
Newcastle’s four clean sheets in six is a league-leading stat, while Forest’s minus-five goal difference betrays their defensive struggles.
Newcastle team news
Newcastle were rocked by the news that Tino Livramento will miss around six weeks of action with a knee injury and he joins Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa on the sidelines for the Magpies.
Nottingham Forest team news
Ola Aina is out until the new year with a thigh problem, whilst Oleksandr Zinchenko and Douglas Luiz won’t feature for a couple of weeks.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Newcastle United have dominated recent encounters, winning six of the last eleven matches and outscoring Forest 23-19 overall. The most recent clashes have often been high-scoring but with the Magpies holding the edge.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 23/02/25 | Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 10/11/24 | Nottingham Forest 1-3 Newcastle | Premier League |
| 28/08/24 | Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle (3-4p) | EFL Cup |
| 10/02/24 | Nottingham Forest 2-3 Newcastle | Premier League |
| 26/12/23 | Newcastle 1-3 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
Conclusion
Will Newcastle’s defensive discipline prove too much for a Forest side that creates but can’t finish? The Magpies’ track record in this fixture and their ability to keep clean sheets suggests they’re well placed to take all three points once again. For punters, Newcastle to win at 4/6 (60.0%) with Bet365 is the standout pick for this contest.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.