We simulated Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest to get…

We simulated Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest to get score prediction for Premier League opener

Nottingham Forest's 2022/23 Premier League season will get under way on Saturday as they face Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Forest, who are playing their first game in England's top flight since the turn of the century, finished last season in incredible form and will be looking to continue it as they venture into what is unfamiliar territory. Steve Cooper's side have invested heavily in this window, bringing in twelve new signings including Manchester United duo Jess Lingard and Dean Henderson, the latter on a season-long loan. Manager Cooper, however, says they won't be slowing down in the market after the club's 1-1 draw against Valencia.

One of Forest's new signings, full-back Omar Richards, will miss the start of the season as he recovers from a hairline leg fracture. Others set to miss out for the Reds include Sam Surridge and Ryan Yates.

So, how will both teams line up? Can Forest win their first game back in the Premier League since 1999?

Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest score predicted by simulation

To do this simulation, we used FIFA 22, updating the squads with the latest transfers made in this window. Both sides lined up in their 2021/22 kits as FIFA 22 does not provide the 2022/23 ones.

We predict that Newcastle will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with the lineup looking as follows: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Joelinton, Willock; Almiron, Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin.

We predict that Nottingham Forest will line up in a 5-2-1-2 formation, with the lineup looking as follows: Henderson; Worrall (c), Cook, McKenna; Williams, O'Brien, Colback, Toffolo; Lingard, Awoiniyi, Johnson.

It wasn't the start Forest fans would want though - nice play from Newcastle saw Joelinton thread the ball through to Callum Wilson who fired it past Henderson at his near post to put Newcastle 1-0 up. Despite going a goal down, Forest did grow into the game and would eventually find the equaliser.

Johnson made it 1-1 just before the stroke of halftime with a lovely finish past Pope (EA SPORTS FIFA)

Brennan Johnson became the first Reds player since Chris Bart-Williams to score in the Premier League, poking the ball past Nick Pope after some nice build-up play from new signings Harry Toffolo and Lingard. The latter found himself with the ball on the edge of the area and played a decisive ball into the feet of Johnson, who swivelled and slotted it home.

Willock made it 2-1 to Newcastle (EA SPORTS FIFA)

Both sides had good chances as Pope made two big saves, facing strikes from Taiwo Awoiniyi and Lingard. A good drive down the right-hand side after 58 minutes from Miguel Almirón saw him find Kieran Trippier, and the defender found Willock alone in space as he blasted past Henderson for the lead.

Full-time: Newcastle 2-1 Nottingham Forest

The final match stats show how Forest were unable to take their chances as they underperformed their xG of 3.1, also having slightly more of the ball possession. Newcastle also underperformed their xG, but the Magpies were able to win the game.

The full-time match statistics as Forest dropped their first game back in the Premier League to Newcastle (EA SPORTS FIFA)

FIFA 22 predicts a 2-1 Newcastle victory following goals from Wilson and Willock, despite an equaliser just before half-time from Johnson. Whilst there's no doubt fans and manager Cooper would be disappointed by the result given the chances they had to score, it was still a strong showing from the Reds in their first game back in the top flight.

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