Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest predicted XI as Nuno makes two changes from Fulham defeat

Nottingham Forest will take on Newcastle this afternoon looking for a positive result after losing to Fulham on the road last time out and with Arsenal and Manchester City to come next up.

The Reds didn’t play well last weekend at Fulham. It proved a tough week after Nuno Espirito Santo had been forced into using some of his star players to edge beyond Exeter from League One in the FA Cup.

The beauty of football, however, is that another game is normally not too far away and as a result, Forest will get the chance to face Newcastle today looking for better fortunes.

Ahead of the game, we’ve looked at a predicted team that Espirito Santo might call upon, with the Reds’ head coach likely to weigh up a few changes for the trip to St James’ Park.

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Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs Newcastle

The Nottingham Forest rearguard

Defensively, Forest have been brilliant in large this season and have kept 10 clean sheets. With that in mind, we don’t sense too many changes – other than the shape – when it comes to defensively.

We believe it will be a flat-back four at Newcastle today, with Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic starting the contest as the two centre-backs and Neco Williams and Ola Aina playing in their respective full-back positions.

As always, Matz Sels will begin the clash between the posts.

The Nottingham Forest engine room

This will provide the biggest conundrum for Nuno Espirito Santo today, with a wealth of options now available at the head coach’s disposal to choose from.

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Danilo looked out of sorts last weekend against Fulham and perhaps he needs to be taken out again as he recovers from his serious injury sustained in August.

Ibrahim Sangare started the game against Newcastle last year which Forest won 3-1 but we do think that a recall for Nicolas Dominguez could be on the cards at St James’ Park today.

Elliot Anderson should be the man tasked with playing alongside him in the engine room. He’s been brilliant this season and would dearly love to play against his former club.

Leading the Forest line

Chris Wood scored a hat-trick on his return to his former club last season and he will hope to run riot again this afternoon.

Taiwo Awoniyi should be back on the bench with a protective face mask ready and waiting should Espirito Santo require his services at any point.

Behind Wood, we think Espirito Santo will restore Callum Hudson-Odoi to the starting eleven for this one after a solid week of training for the £3m signing from Chelsea.

Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga will start in their usual roles.

Forest vs Newcastle line up by GRV Media

Also in contention for Forest vs Newcastle

Wayne Hennessey is likely to be the substitute goalkeeper once again with Carlos Miguel currently nursing a hamstring problem.

Defensively, Morato will drop to the bench as Espirito Santo reverts to his 4-2-3-1 system, with Alex Moreno likely to provide cover for the full-back areas and Willy Boly also among the subs.

In midfield, Danilo, Sangare and Ryan Yates could all be among the substitutes as the competition becomes seriously strong for places in that area of the pitch.

From a forward point of view, options are in short supply when it comes to real quality.

Awoniyi will provide backup for Wood with Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa likely to take places among the subs and will hope to be impactful from the bench.

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