BBC Sport pundit weighs in with this Newcastle United analysis – On the money? | OneFootball

Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.

Chris Sutton speaking ahead of  Sunday’s game at the City Ground.

Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United players looking to build on the excellent performances and wins against Chelsea and Arsenal.

United travel to take on Nottingham Forest, who they beat back in August in the League Cup.

Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 8 November 2024:

“In many respects this is a battle of two strikers.

“I loved Alexander Isak’s header for Newcastle against Arsenal last week. It was a classic centre-forward’s finish.

“But this is the Chris Wood derby – aka the ‘Wood Chopper’ derby – and I am backing him to give Nottingham Forest the cutting edge they need against his former club.

“Forest are a team with good balance in that they set out not to concede but they also have players who can threaten on the counter.

“Their confidence must be sky-high and I see their good run continuing.

“Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2 Newcastle 1”

So is the BBC Sport man on the money with his comments?

The Premier League table shows Forest in third and Newcastle United in eleventh.

However, only four points covers nine teams (3rd to 11th), so if Eddie Howe’s side win on Sunday, they will move to within just one point of Forest.

At this early stage of the season, very little difference between some clubs seen as having very good starts AND some who are viewed as having the opposite. Good luck to Forest though and if they are still in a similar position when another ten Premier League matches have been played, then they will be for sure, up there on merit.

When it comes to which teams have had very good starts and those deemed not to, I think it is interesting to consider this, these two clubs and their 2024/25 playing records so far in all competitions…

Nottingham Forest: Played 11 Won 5 Drawn 4 Lost 2

Newcastle United: Played 13 Won 7 Drawn 3 Lost 3

As you can see, Forest have won five of their eleven matches and whilst they pulled off a brilliant 1-0 victory at Anfield, it is also worth noting that their other four wins have all been against teams (Palace, West Ham, Southampton, Leicester) who are currently in the bottom seven positions in the Premier League.

I think Sunday is a match where any of the three outcomes are possible. A win for either side would give them huge momentum heading into this November international break.

Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:

Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Monday 25 November – Newcastle v West Ham (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (3pm)

Wednesday 4 December – Newcastle v Liverpool (7.30pm) Amazon

Saturday 7 December – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)

Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)

Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports