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.

158 comments so far
Digger54
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:26 AM
Comment #121NADJ
At 93,
Now ya talkin sense. ?
Ty21
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:27 AM
Comment #122Wow, Viera is overachieving with that squad. They had series of hard games…
Digger54
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:31 AM
Comment #123Im off down to Forrest, HATL
Digger54
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:32 AM
Comment #124HWTL, exitements got me
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:38 AM
Comment #125dazzler,
Aye, he looked like being a new era manager like Kompany is or even Carrick, you obviously can’t judge a career over one good start, remember Brian Little and John Gregory, what ever happened to that Wigan guy that liked to dress up in women’s clobber.
Ty21
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:40 AM
Comment #126Who CP going appoint? Steve Bruce?
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:42 AM
Comment #127Viera was doing an ok job and seemed to be guiding them to stay in the PL. If he’s lost the dressing room, there’s a decent chance a new manager will give them a boost but if it’s an issue with the owners then it’s 50/50 whether they do better or worse. I’d imagine it’s one or the other as they’re doing ok for the size of club and squad quality.
JohnJ
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:47 AM
Comment #128You can’t judge a book by the look on the cover.
Whoa whoa….
Fats Domino
Just saying.
🙂
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:48 AM
Comment #129The comments on that link seem divided, some say he was sleep walking to relegation and needed to go, others saying he wasn’t backed. He knows his talisman is away at the end of the season as well.
JohnJ
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:49 AM
Comment #130All the best Dr Ed,
Hope you can enjoy a happy St Patrick’s Day.
🙂
Toon fans bad
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:52 AM
Comment #131Aye, tad odd the Viera P45.
Think Dazzler nailed it. The Palace overlords casting an eye on Brentford’s and Fulham’s progression and pressed the button. Maybe they have someone lined up. International break to get a new manager in, makes sense I suppose. Arsenal away on Sunday so they’ve written that one off.
Tight at the bottom, only 5 points between bottom and 12th!
If Fab plays tonight he’s nailed himself to the top 4 push mast, good lad.
Zhongguo Geordie
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:53 AM
Comment #13212th looks about right for palace. But theyre only a few points off the drop. Mediocre or steady sums up his performance. Not bad but not great.
Toon fans bad
Mar 17, 2023 at 8:56 AM
Comment #133Crikey, after Palace play Arsenal on Sunday all their remaining fixtures are definitely winnable. On 27 points already, strange sacking indeed.
Vask
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:01 AM
Comment #134I think Nuno espirito Santo could be a good fit for CP.
Well versed counter attacking manager. Could attract some decent Portuguese players in the summer, IE someone to fill the gap that Zaha leaves.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:01 AM
Comment #135All the best to our Irish contingent on St. Patrick’s Day! Have a great one, lads and lasses…
Toon Toon!
Gach an chuid is fearr.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:06 AM
Comment #136Just like some fans on here got carried away with our good form earlier in the season, it appears that Viera has been judged harshly for having a good start to the season. Perhaps if Palace’s points were more spread out over the season then he’d be judged differently.
Sometimes a club is fairly consistent over a season and sometimes they are very up and down.
Munster Mag
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:07 AM
Comment #137Maybe Rafa? There again The Athletic highlighted the exact glaring issues some of us highlighted so long ago. Outdated tactics, dreadful football, tendency to fight with owners to curry favour with fans, arrogant, falls out with players etc. ( shh, dont say it out loud though)….
One good thing I will say about him is that every time he is on TV he calls us Newcastle United , not Newcarsell etc.
DrGloom
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:07 AM
Comment #138Happy Saint Patrick’s day everyone
DrGloom
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:08 AM
Comment #139Does Rafa have to be brought up on here every day .. he’s been gone years and consigned to history by most of us
Toon fans bad
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:10 AM
Comment #140Bit early for fishing Munster 😆
Toon fans bad
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:12 AM
Comment #141Stop ya fishing and go get plugged into the Guinness pal
Toon fans bad
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:13 AM
Comment #142Is Murphy’s still going?, used to like a few pints of that nectar.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:18 AM
Comment #143Magic, totally. Thank you.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:19 AM
Comment #144Not St.Viera’s day, is it?
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:20 AM
Comment #145Munster,
He’s really inflicted some mental damage on you has that little handed Spaniard, you must have a whole host of ex girlfriends you’ve gotten over quicker than him.
Wor B
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:24 AM
Comment #146Vask
Your new ritual could be losing your FPL H2H match every week.
It won’t make any difference to the Toon result but it might save me from FPL relegation. 🙂
Munster Mag
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:31 AM
Comment #147Yes Jail I had many lovely ladies in my day 🙂
Just a bit of early worm dangling chaps, although interesting to have my opinions vindicated in a more neutral and highly regarded publication, than amongst the somewhat myopic rafa taliban on here 🙂
Anyway, I’ll leave ye alone if I can drag my ass out of the scratcher and go for a swim.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:31 AM
Comment #148The Sloop JohnJ and TTT. I have invited Martoon, but no reply. (I think my sister is still not talking to me). Seeing other sister tomorrow ( lots of us).
Vask
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:38 AM
Comment #149WorB
I will give it a try but first I must consult the chicken bones and I-ching…
I’ll have a KFC for dinner and put some Rosa rugosa seeds down the back of me collar and get back to you this afternoon.
niafron
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:49 AM
Comment #150Bonjour Mesdames et Messieurs!
Was out of the blog for a few weeks… but everything fine.
Well, sure everything is burning in France at the moment, but you know… french habit.
How is the life on the Tyne?
sparky55
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:50 AM
Comment #151Out of all the fast food joints dotted around the world, I find it hardest to pass a KFC!
I was in me element when they did the 20 hot wings for £6.99!
Wor B
Mar 17, 2023 at 9:53 AM
Comment #152Vask
I like the sound of the chicken, but have some dock leaf on hand to soothe that itching!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 17, 2023 at 10:03 AM
Comment #153Niafron, we can’t get across the channel due to French strikes! 🙂
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 17, 2023 at 10:04 AM
Comment #154niafron,
If I can get away, do you fancy watching the Chelsea game somewhere in Paris.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 17, 2023 at 10:08 AM
Comment #155Sparky. I remember being in New Orleans. Walked up to what looked like a fast food counter and asked what they served. Opened the door to be confronted by a courtyard, with a fountain and very good food. Really good night.
Vask
Mar 17, 2023 at 10:13 AM
Comment #156Bon matin Niafron.
Been a bit of a cold snap up here in the previous two weeks. Brightening up now though. (Forgive the Englishness of the response).
Sparky
Ive had a soft spot for KFC for years. Back in my college days a friend and I would head to the upstairs restaurant on Northumberland Street and Share a family bucket. I hadn’t had one for years on account of my missus giving up chicken but managed to start them up again after dropping her off for Nightshifts. Usually go for a boneless banquet cos it’s easiest to scran in the car on the way home.
WorB
Good advice. Though you missed an opportunity to get me to spread Pissenlit milk on me neck. 🙂
sparky55
Mar 17, 2023 at 10:13 AM
Comment #157Sir P…love a hidden gem!
niafron
Mar 17, 2023 at 10:14 AM
Comment #158@Pug
What a shame… you’re missing the ongoing big show all across the country…
@Raj
With pleasure, just ask the admin to give me your e-mail, and we will do that.