Nottingham Forest will mark their return to the Premier League (PL) this Saturday with a visit to St. James Park where they face Newcastle United for their first game of the 2022/23 PL season.
Venue: St. James’ Park (Newcastle)
Key Statistics
Newcastle lost just one of their last ten home games in the Premier League (seven wins and two draws).
However, they have won just two of their previous eleven first game of the season (two draws and seven losses).
There have been under 2.5 goals in seven of Newcastle’s previous ten league games at St James’ Park.
Nottingham Forest lost just two of their final 11 games outside Nottingham (W6, D3).
They have won four of their five previous opening-day PL games.
Head to head
In ten PL meetings between both sides, Everton have six wins while Nottingham Forest have four wins.
Latest performances in all competitions (including friendlies)
Newcastle: W-W-L-L-W
Everton: D-D-L-W-D
Newcastle United
Newcastle will look to begin their new season the way they ended the last when they welcome Premier League newbies Nottingham Forest to Tyneside.
Eddie Howe’s men were one of the most consistent teams towards the end of last season as they won six of their final eight matches in 2021-22 to secure an eleventh-place finish, narrowly missing out on the top ten by two points.
After a summer of a few additions where only goalkeeper Nick Pope and Lille defender Sven Botman have joined their ranks, they will be looking to begin on a strong note to give them a confidence boost.
Their aim for this season remains a top-six finish given the wealth they have within their coffers. But a top-seven finish or even a top-half finish will also be seen as a success for a team that was fighting relegation at some point last season.
Meanwhile, the Magpies endured some mixed results during pre-season, but they posted wins over Atalanta BC and Athletic Bilbao on successive days last weekend.
Possible Newcastle starting line-up
Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Matt Targett; Joelinton, Bruno Guimarães, Sean Longstaff; Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron.
Injured: Jonjo Shelvey, Javier Manquillo
Doubtful: Federico Fernandez
Suspended: None
Nottingham Forest
After sealing a return to the Premier League for the first time since 1999, Nottingham Forest will be looking to mark the occasion with a win.
The visitors who have won the European Cup twice have a rich history in the top flight and will be desperate to show their prowess in the league this season. They have shown that they mean business by bolstering their ranks with an eye-catching 12 fresh additions over the summer.
In Steve Cooper, they have one of the most exciting young managers in the English Isles, and having signed an experienced player like Jesse Lingard, they will fancy their chances of getting an excellent result in this curtain raiser.
Possible Nottingham Forest starting line-up
Dean Henderson; Joe Worrall, Moussa Niakhate, Scott McKenna; Neco Williams, Ryan Yates, Jesse Lingard, Lewis O’Brien, Harry Toffolo; Taiwo Awoniyi, Brennan Johnson.
Injured: Omar Richards
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Newcastle 2-2 Forest
