Eddie Howe's Newcastle have been up and down like a yo-yo in recent weeks, a fantastic performance at Aston Villa was followed by a frankly quite confusing 4-4 draw with Luton Town.

Howe will be looking for a repeat of the former as they put their dismal away form behind them with an impressive win against Villa, who had not lost a Premier League home game since February 2023 before the Magpies rolled into town.

The ping-pong style of the Luton match will have concerned Howe, with the usually solid defence proving to be very leaky in recent weeks, conceding 12 goals in the last four games. 

However, at the other end of the pitch, the Magpies have been on fire, scoring 11 in those four games through seven different goalscorers.

Since these two last met on Boxing Day, Forest have struggled for form, with just one win in their last four league games and they have also had the disadvantage of playing an FA Cup replay this week, that went to extra-time and penalties.

Amongst the turmoil of a potential points deduction, Nuno Esprito Santo must galvanise his side as they are just two points above the relegation zone and they have a tough run of fixtures coming up; their next four games after this weekend are against teams in the top eight. 

They are also without top scorer Chris Wood, who scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, but they do have Taiwo Awoniyi back, who scored against Arsenal on his return to action.

Forest have kept just three clean sheets this season and will need to be at their best to stop a Newcastle side who are averaging over two goals per game this season. 

Newcastle will also be without their top scorer Alexander Isak, but Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes both made welcome returns against Luton. 

Expect goals in this one as both teams have scored in seven of the last eight meetings between these two sides.

Newcastle's form has been mixed in recent weeks, but they should have too much quality for Forest here.

Forest will be without defender Gonzalo Montiel after he was forced off in the final minutes of the FA Cup win over Bristol City with a hamstring injury, while Morgan Gibbs-White faces a late fitness test.

January signings Matz Sels, Gio Reyna and Rodrigo Ribeiro were ineligible against the Robins, while midfielders Ryan Yates and Nicolas Dominguez were suspended.

The quintet are all available for Saturday but Forest remain without Nigeria's Ola Aina and the Ivory Coast duo of Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly, who will be bidding to win the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

"A lot of issues since we arrive, players absent with injuries, the AFCON situation, a lot of players involved, but that is almost over and for sure we're going to have an AFCON champion from Forest," Nuno said

Howe, who will have to make at least one change at Forest with forward Anthony Gordon ruled out by an ankle injury.

Newcastle to win

Both teams to score

Over 3.5 match goals