Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United – News and Probable Lineups

Nottingham Forest have the opportunity to ease the disappointment of their Europa League exit by achieving Premier League survival when they face Newcastle United at the City Ground on Sunday.

The Tricky Trees had their aspirations of European success curtailed with a 4-1 aggregate loss to Aston Villa in the semi-finals, and they head into matchweek 36 sitting three points and three spots below the Magpies in the league standings.

Match overview

Nottingham Forest’s one-goal advantage from the first leg of their Europa League semi-final turned out to be futile on Thursday night, as Unai Emery showcased his winning pedigree, leading Aston Villa into another second-tier European final.

Villa’s 4-0 victory over the Garibaldi marked the largest win ever by an English club against another in European competition, leaving Forest to focus solely on securing their Premier League status for the remainder of the season.

Fortunately for the hosts, their strong run in the top flight – with a seven-match unbeaten streak and three consecutive victories against Chelsea, Sunderland, and Burnley – means they could secure safety with a win and by having either Tottenham Hotspur or West Ham United drop points.

Vitor Pereira’s team maintains a five-point buffer over Tottenham and a six-point gap over West Ham United, who are set to host league leaders Arsenal. The Tricky Trees will hope to ensure their top-tier status before tough encounters against Manchester United and Bournemouth to wrap up the season.

Although the home side struggled at Villa Park, having recently scored five against Sunderland, four against Burnley, and three against Chelsea, Forest is on the verge of scoring 3+ goals in four consecutive Premier League matches for the first time in 31 years.

In terms of teams netting 3+ goals, Newcastle broke a four-match losing streak in the Premier League by defeating an in-form Brighton & Hove Albion side, courtesy of goals from William Osula, Dan Burn, and Harvey Barnes.

The Magpies’ 3-1 victory over the Seagulls also indicates that Eddie Howe’s squad is just one good result away from securing their spot in the Premier League for the 2026-27 season; they need just one point from their last three matches.

However, it’s worth noting that achieving Premier League survival is not the celebration Newcastle and their ambitious owners had in mind, but head coach Eddie Howe reportedly has his position secured following discussions with PIF, where he faced ‘challenging’ inquiries regarding the downturn in his team’s performance.

Newcastle’s struggles also consist of four defeats in their last five away games, losing their last three to Barcelona, Crystal Palace, and Arsenal. Yet, their visits to the City Ground historically yield positive results.

Indeed, the Magpies have gone without a loss in all of their previous seven Premier League matches away at Nottingham Forest, winning the last four at the City Ground; they have never secured five consecutive top-flight away victories against any single opponent before.

Team News

Departing defender Kieran Trippier will be looking for a chance to shine in the starting lineup over the final three gameweeks, though not for the reasons he had hoped, as teammate Lewis Miley suffered a fractured fibula during training on Tuesday and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Howe doesn’t expect Tino Livramento (groin) or Fabian Schar (ankle) to return before the conclusion of the campaign, while fellow defender Emil Krafth (knee) remains a long-term absence.

Anthony Gordon has made his return to the bench against Brighton after recovering from a hip injury, but goalscorer Barnes seems better positioned to secure a spot in the starting XI ahead of Jacob Murphy.

Concerning Nottingham Forest, Pereira was uncertain about the status of Morgan Gibbs-White (face), Murillo (unspecified), and Ola Aina (unspecified) during his pre-match remarks, though Gibbs-White at least made the bench at Villa Park after suffering a nasty cut against Chelsea.

Zach Abbott finds himself in a similar situation following his own head injury at Stamford Bridge, but Willy Boly (knee), Callum Hudson-Odoi (thigh), John Victor (knee), and Nicolo Savona (knee) remain out of contention.

Some alterations are expected for the hosts, with the fit-again Dan Ndoye a potential candidate to replace James McAtee, who was substituted at half-time in Thursday’s defeat.

Nottingham Forest probable starting XI:

Sales; Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Anderson, Yates; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Awoniyi

Newcastle United probable starting XI:

Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes; Barnes, Willock, Joelinton; Osula

Whether the psychological effect of Thursday’s heavy defeat will linger for Forest remains to be seen, but the injury-plagued and fatigued hosts may find it tough either way.

There is something about the City Ground that tends to inspire Newcastle, and with their confidence restored and a full array of attacking options, Howe’s side may continue to keep Forest waiting for that elusive survival confirmation.