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Lee Ryder

Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United: Magpies firm favourites to win at City Ground

Newcastle United kicked off their season with a 2-0 win over newly promoted Forest back in August on a day when it took 58 minutes to breach the visiting defence.

Despite many wondering whether Steve Cooper and his vastly boosted squad would stay up, they are in a decent position to fend off relegation with 12 matches of their season remaining as they sit on 26 points and in 14th position. They are far from safe but their fate is still in the hands of the men in red.

Recent home form at the City Ground for Cooper's men hasn't been bad either. Since the World Cup they have held Chelsea, Man City and Everton and beat Leeds and Leicester City, Liverpool also lost on the banks of the Trent before the Qatar tournament unfolded.

READ MORE: Newcastle United 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Champions League bid firmly in Toon hands

Lee Ryder's verdict

The trip to Forest and the strength of Cooper's side should not be underestimated by Newcastle. It's five home wins, five draws and just three defeats for the newly promoted club at the City Ground this season.

I think Newcastle will certainly go for the jugular in this fixture but Forest have shown they can mix with the big boys in their own backyard. This one has spats of a score draw about it.

Referee

Paul Tierney (Lancashire)

It's the man who sent off Bruno Guimaraes in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Southampton.

Betting

Bet 365 have Newcastle as the favourites to win at 4/6 while Forest are priced at 9/2 to add the Magpies to their list of scalps. That draw I mentioned is 13/5

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