On Wednesday, Nottingham Forest will host Newcastle United at the City Ground for their second-round EFL Cup clash, featuring two Premier League teams. Both sides have made strong starts to the league season, each with four points from their first two matches. They will look to replicate their past success in this competition, with Forest hoping to continue their positive form after a good start.
Forest managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday, despite having only 35% possession. They outshot their opponents 23 to 5 and had an expected goals (xG) figure nearly twice as high. With a match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, who recently suffered a heavy defeat, Forest will be optimistic about maintaining their good form.
Nottingham Forest vs. Newcastle: Head-to-Head & EFL Cup History
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In cup competitions, Forest enjoyed a memorable run to the EFL Cup semi-finals 18 months ago, although they were eventually knocked out by Manchester United. Last season, however, they were eliminated in the second round by Burnley. Historically, Forest has struggled in the early rounds of cup competitions, having exited at the first round stage six times in recent years.
Forest has had recent success against Newcastle in this competition, having knocked them out in consecutive seasons in 2017 and 2018. Newcastle, who reached the EFL Cup final in 2023 but lost to Manchester United and were eliminated in the quarter-finals last season, are back in the second round this year. They have faced early exits in this round four times since 2017, including twice to Forest.
Newcastle will need to improve their performance to remain competitive in both league and cup. They have been fortunate to secure four points so far, with a narrow 1-0 win against Southampton and a controversial draw against Bournemouth. Anthony Gordon, who scored their equalizer, will be key to their success this season.
Team News
Forest’s only injury concern is Danilo, who is recovering from a serious ankle injury, while the rest of the squad is available. Taiwo Awoniyi may start as he builds match fitness, and Jota Silva could make his full debut. Ryan Yates and Willy Boly, who were benched for the Southampton game, might return to the starting lineup if Nuno Espirito Santo chooses to rotate his squad.
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali will return from his ban this week but might not start due to a lack of match fitness. Fabian Schar is serving the second game of his three-match suspension, and with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles still injured, Newcastle may not make many changes for this match.
Nottingham Forest vs. Newcastle: Probable Starting XI
Nottingham Forest’s possible starting lineup: Carlos Miguel; Williams, Boly, Omobamidele, Toffolo; Dominguez, Yates; Jota Silva, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi
Newcastle United’s possible starting lineup: Vlachodimos; Trippier, Kelly, Burn, Hall; Willock, Bruno Guimaraes, Longstaff; Almiron, Osula, Barnes
