BBC pundit Chris Sutton has provided his predictions for this weekend’s Premier League action. He is picking Newcastle to pick up a second straight victory with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest. Sutton also predicted a slim victory against Wolves last week.
Here is his take on the match:
Newcastle had lost a bit of ground in the race for the top four before they beat Wolves last weekend. They got a bit lucky, because Wolves could have had a penalty and their goalkeeper Nick Pope could have been sent off if it was given, but it was an important result for them.
Forest, meanwhile, were well beaten at Tottenham. Their performance was so disappointing, and they were very lucky to get a goal – they barely had an attack.
Steve Cooper’s side rely so much on their home form because their results on the road have been terrible, but it means they are under pressure to get points here, and I think that might begin to tell.
It smells a bit like a draw to me, but Newcastle need the win and Forest can’t play Chris Wood [who is on loan from the Magpies] and also have issues at the back.
Forest haven’t lost at the City Ground in the league since the middle of September but I think that run ends here.
Sutton doesn’t sound too convinced of his prediction but Newcastle will have the momentum from last weekend’s win. Forest have struggled of late without a win in their last five matches. Though they are difficult to defeat at the City Ground.
There are incentives for both sides with Newcastle keeping pace with the top four and Nottingham just 2 points above the bottom three. One potential advantage for the Magpies is that Forest have an extensive injury list.
Eddie Howe hopes to have the majority of his players available for tomorrow’s clash. He also admitted there are some players struggling with knocks. Callum Wilson has not trained this week but is expected to make the squad.
Fabian Schar has not been included in the Swiss team for the looming international break. The reason cited is a foot injury. The defender has been in training this week and the issue is unlikely to affect his availability tomorrow. He’ll get some time to rest during the break.
This is another vital match for Newcastle if Champions League hopes are still harbored. Another three points heading into the international break will go a long way in keeping Newcastle comfortably in the top third of the table.
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158 comments so far
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:44 PM
Comment #1pug power
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:46 PM
Comment #2Looking forward to the Notts (Just to annoy them) Forest game.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:50 PM
Comment #3killed blog. The Puglet is a cold blooded killer!
Vask
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:52 PM
Comment #4Charge to 150…
Clear!
Budump!
Vask
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:56 PM
Comment #5Ive been enjoying the refreshing Sutton taking over from Lawrenson on the BBC predictions.
It was long over due for a shake up.
I particularly liked the bit where he started calling us United and chided the Manpü fans for thinking they were the one true United.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:57 PM
Comment #6Has Gareth announced a squad yet?
Vask
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:59 PM
Comment #7Apparently so bill.
A glance at the BBC website and the headline reads:
Loyal Southgate sticks with the players he trusts.
No surprise there then.
Ap
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:03 PM
Comment #8Magscar
My grudge is Partizan Belgrade. Knocked us out of Europe twice. Need to get them next season
Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:10 PM
Comment #9We have the better squad, great unity, are well prepared and play with excellent intensity and purpose, so you know we’ll be a handful for them. It’s away though, and they are decent, so it’s a lottery to a degree. Isak was the difference last week
Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:14 PM
Comment #10………, relative to recent form, and that gives me renewed hope in our battle for fourth, but the only match that matters is the next one. Big game.
ottawageordie2
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:15 PM
Comment #11Southgate has chosen his typical team. England will never win anything with him in charge. So predictable. Hard to believe that’s the best English team.
Ap
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:15 PM
Comment #12Beat Forest we have every chance of top 4. Anything less we wont get it
Vask
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:16 PM
Comment #1313 cup finals to go Nicky.
We can still finish on 83 points. 🙂
Vask
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:17 PM
Comment #14Got any spoilers AP?
lochinvar
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:19 PM
Comment #15Southgate has taken a bet on including Toney in the squad and dropped Wilson which is understandable.
He’s included Kyle Walker which might be a flash in the pan.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:29 PM
Comment #16Some more weird posts (from my perspective) regarding selling players. It’s a topic that’s already been discussed but what’s the point in wanting us to sell Wilson when there are players like Ritchie, Dummett, Fraser, Lewis, Manq, and a 4th goalkeeper taking spaces in the squad currently?
Vask
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:30 PM
Comment #17I see brereton and hedges scored for Blackburn last night.
I’m sure there’s a joke in there somewhere.
Mister Tuff
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:30 PM
Comment #18I think EH will have unchanged forwards of Murphy, Izac, Maxi to start the game.
Vask
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:30 PM
Comment #19I wonder if Paul Lambert is their manager.
Vask
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:37 PM
Comment #20TDs
Not to mention Hendrick and Hayden and anyone on loan who is not out of contract in the summer…
morocco0015
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:38 PM
Comment #21Ap peddling his negativity again
magicmac54
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:39 PM
Comment #22Repost
Sir Peter the Pug
Peter if your both coming from Friday the 28th to Sunday the 30th you can have the use of one of the bedrooms plus the use of the apartment for a total of £100 if that is reasonable enough for you mate?
Munster Mag
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:41 PM
Comment #23He definitely will Tuff
Vask
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:41 PM
Comment #24That is a bargain magic
If I didn’t have a place to stay that weekend I’d take two. 😀
magicmac54
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:47 PM
Comment #25Swablr
Good evening Swablr mate, how`s the form with you recently, i take it you`re still kept quite busy with the music lad? On retirement that year just flew in exactly a year on Tuesday but it felt more like about 4 months. Looking forward to meeting with you once more mate, not long to wait now my friend cheers for the music link on the previous Swablr sheer quality mate HWTL
Ap
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:49 PM
Comment #26Vask
1st Spoiler.. willock and/or Longstaff to blast over the bar tomorrow night
2nd spoiler.. Burn to nearly give away penalty
3rd spoiler.. Trippier to give ball away under no pressure
Munster Mag
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:50 PM
Comment #27As in Murphy isak maxi yes
Ap
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:52 PM
Comment #28Diaby scored. Reminds me of LuaLua
magicmac54
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:52 PM
Comment #29Vask
Are you also going to the Southampton game Mate?
magicmac54
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:02 PM
Comment #30Munster Mag
Hi mate, really hoping for a Hat Trick this Saint Patrick`s weekend fella, starting with the Toon tomorrow night, followed on Saturday afternoon by Ireland in the six nations, then on Saturday evening Armagh to beat Galway, now if Carlsberg did perfect Weekends Munster 😀 😀 😀
The Taco Taker
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:03 PM
Comment #31And there was me all alone on a empty bus.
Pug, I thought you mentioned yesterday Martoon was also meeting up. Perhaps I misread that. Anyway will be great to meet the Rabbit, your good self and John J – I did warn that John J and I may spend a bit of time sharing postbox locations.
TDS,
I know I don’t get why Wilson must suddenly be sold, I think he will be willing to stay and fight for his place, sure injuries are a concern but that can become true of any player even a new signing. There is enough work to do in the summer without replacing our better players. We need to drive the weakest links out first and replace with quality players and then keep doing that window after window.
AP,
So if we drew against Forest but then beat Man U you would still say we had no chance of top 4 after the Man U game? – just an honest question.
Munster Mag
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:07 PM
Comment #32Magic, Gwan Ormauh!
Munster Mag
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:08 PM
Comment #33Ormaw?
Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:09 PM
Comment #34Wilson will go if we get a good offer for him, or if he can’t get back in the side and looks for a move himself. Otherwise he’ll stay. He’s a very good player, who’s just down on form. You’d fully expect him to bounce back. Isak keeps producing though, Wilson won’t get back in the preferred 11, given his age and injury history, and deep down he’ll know it.
Munster Mag
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:09 PM
Comment #35Magic , the poms will be mega fired up. We could be in for a rough first 30 but I’m not convinced about their fitness
Swablr
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:09 PM
Comment #36Howdy Magic, yep keeping one eye on the blog and two eyes on my music…eh?
Looking forward to seeing you again, (and Ruddy if he is coming).
Plenty stuff before then so plenty to blab on about on the day. Take care Magicmac!
magicmac54
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:12 PM
Comment #37The Taco Taker
Evening young Taco, is John J also coming mate? 3 music men together then Swablr John J and Ruddy, who needs Karoke when we have a live band 😀 😀 😀
The Taco Taker
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:13 PM
Comment #38Vask – anyone would be a step up on Lawro. Technically I can also think of a dolphin, an octopus and an elephant that had a far better track records of predicting sporting outcomes and that is just off the top of my head.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:15 PM
Comment #39Vask
I was going to say they were smoking last night but thought better of it! 🙂
The Taco Taker
Mar 16, 2023 at 9:15 PM
Comment #40Magic, no mate I was referring to a different meeting in Whitley with The Pug and the Rabbit which John J and I are attending. Everyone that does not come in the hope of punching one of us is of course welcome.