Ian Wright and Roy Keane disagree on prediction for Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle this weekend
Nottingham Forest are exceeding expectations in the Premier League, capturing attention as they ride a wave of impressive performances. Heading into the season, many fans and pundits alike viewed Forest as relegation candidates, expecting them to struggle after narrowly surviving the 2023/24 campaign. Yet Forest’s remarkable form has silenced doubters and surprised even their harshest critics.
One of those critics, former England striker Gary Lineker, recently admitted he misjudged Forest’s potential, even calling himself an “idiot” for doubting the team. Other pundits, who had also predicted a tough season for Forest, now find themselves re-evaluating their early-season opinions. With Forest currently thriving on the pitch, positive changes are happening behind the scenes as well. Edu, a respected figure in football circles and widely considered one of the top sporting directors in the game, is expected to leave Arsenal and join Forest, following an enticing offer from Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis. His arrival would be a major coup for Forest, as his expertise in recruitment and long-term planning could provide the club with a foundation for sustained success.
This weekend, Forest faces a challenging home fixture against Newcastle United, a team known for its physicality and high intensity under manager Eddie Howe. Forest’s manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, knows his team will be tested, but Forest will enter the match with confidence, buoyed by their recent form and a vocal home crowd. The game has sparked debate among pundits, with opinions divided on the outcome. In a recent episode of the Stick to Football podcast, Ian Wright and Roy Keane discussed their predictions for the game. Wright expressed faith in Forest, believing they would clinch a victory, especially with striker Chris Wood in top form. “I think Forest beat Newcastle. I think Forest at home, with Chris Wood, will be tough to handle,” said Wright.
However, Keane took a different view, suggesting that Forest’s winning streak may face a reality check against a strong Newcastle side. “Forest can’t keep that run going,” Keane remarked. “Newcastle will get a result there.” After some back and forth, the two ultimately agreed on a 2-2 draw, predicting an exciting and tightly contested game that would end with both teams sharing the points.
Forest, with 19 points from their first 10 games, find themselves in a favorable position, free from the usual pressures of a relegation battle. This strong start allows them to approach the Newcastle game with a sense of freedom and ambition. While Newcastle’s recent win over Arsenal showcased their capability, Forest’s solid defense—the second-best in the league—could make things difficult for the Magpies on Sunday.
Forest’s players are thriving individually as well as collectively, with Chris Wood emerging as one of the Premier League’s in-form strikers, and a number of defensive standouts keeping their opponents at bay. Even if the game does not go their way, Forest’s passionate home support and impressive performances thus far will continue to fuel their confidence.
As fans eagerly await the weekend showdown, Forest supporters will hope that Wright’s prediction rings true and that their team can extend their dream start to the season by claiming another notable result against Newcastle.
