Joe Cole has been talking about Newcastle United.
The former Liverpool and England winger with some major calls.
Joe Cole looking at this match at the City Ground.
United taking on Nottingham Forest in their third last Premier League match of the season.
Eddie Howe and his players looking to follow up last weekend’s 3-1 victory over in-form Brighton.
Joe Cole declaring to Paddy Power: “Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United…that could be fireworks or it could be the worst game ever! I’m going to go with…Newcastle to win against Forest.”
It is a strange one today, as Joe Cole indicates it is a very tough one to call.
Nottingham Forest have scored 12 goals and won their last three Premier League matches, 4-1 home to Burnley, smashing Sunderland 5-0 away, then playing pretty much a second team at Chelsea and yet winning that 3-1.
Indeed, Forest unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches and scoring 15 goals in their last five.
At the same time, injuries now piling up for Vitor Pereira’s team and they were hammered 4-0 by Aston Villa on Thursday night. Newcastle played eight days ago and Forest have played twice these past six days.
Newcastle United ended a run of four Premier League defeats (five in all competitions) with that 3-1 victory over Brighton. The Seagulls were in great form but Newcastle scored three goals in the Premier League for a first time in four months.
At the same time, only once in their last twenty matches (all competitions) have Newcastle failed to score in a game, that was at Arsenal in the 1-0 defeat when they actually deserved at least a point for their performance against the title contenders.
Eddie Howe has won all four times when visiting the City Ground with Newcastle United and it is 39 years since NUFC lost a top flight match here.
I know you can say it about most matches but I think especially today, the team that gets the first goal it is likely to be pivotal. Forest get it and they will have the crowd behind them, Newcastle score first and the home team and fans could be very flat with Thursday night feeling like it is carrying on into this match.