Chris Sutton has tipped Nottingham Forest to surrender their unbeaten run when Newcastle United come to the City Ground on Friday (8pm kick-off).
Steve Cooper's team have not lost at home since September, but now face a tough test against the high-flying Magpies. They are fifth in the Premier League table, 18 points above 14th-placed Forest.
Forest have been struggling for away form this season, as has been well documented by pundits across the game, but Sutton now believes the home form will also screech to a halt as Eddie Howe brings his players to the East Midlands. He has backed Newcastle to win 1-0.
READ MORE: Stats which turned Forest midfielder into 'more complete player'
READ MORE: Survival fight, away form, Surridge - Forest questions answered
"This is such a big game, at both ends of the table," Sutton wrote in his BBC predictions column. "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, 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 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. 0-1."
Tell us your score prediction for the game in the comments section
READ NEXT
- Forest vs Newcastle TV channel, live stream and how to watch
- Forest have 'fire in their belly' as Ryan Yates progress report given
- Man Utd Europa League progress sees Forest fixture moved again
- Eddie Howe sends 'red hot' Forest warning to Newcastle players
- Paul Merson issues Forest warning in Premier League prediction
