Newcastle United face a tricky trip to Nottingham Forest as they look to sign off for the international break with a third consecutive win.
Victories over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and Arsenal in the Premier League have steadied the ship after Eddie Howe’s side went five league matches without a win.
Forest, meanwhile, are massively exceeding expectations and sit third in the table with just one defeat to their name so far in the 2024/25 campaign.
So what is the secret to their success? How sustainable is it? And how can Newcastle derail Nuno’s side at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon?
We asked Lee Clarke of Nottingham Forest News for an insider view on Nuno’s side ahead of this weekend’s clash.
How important has Chris Wood been so far this season?
“He’s been so important, and with eight goals in 10 games, it’s clear just how important he’s been to our fortunes,” says Lee. “Our game suits him perfectly but probably the most pleasing aspect of his goals this season is that they’ve not really typified the kind of striker that Wood gets a reputation for.
“His recent first goal against Leicester was instinctive and the sort of goal that had Messi scored it, he’d be getting praise for the improvisation on display.”
How sustainable is Nottingham Forest’s current form?
“I mean, it’s just not, is it?” continues Lee. “A club like Forest can’t keep competing with the so-called bigger clubs on a regular basis… Or can we?
Nottingham Forest
3|0
West Ham
Leicester
1|3
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest
1|0
Crystal Palace
Chelsea
1|1
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest
0|1
Fulham
“Brighton and Brentford—and even Bournemouth and Fulham to a certain degree have showcased that having a strong team often overrides the teams with superb individuals. Finishing third isn’t sustainable right now, but can we dream of Europe? If we can beat Newcastle this weekend, then why not?”
Where can Newcastle get at Forest this weekend?
When it comes to where Howe’s side can target their hosts on Sunday, Howe’s selection in the middle of the park could be key in how this match pans out.
“Difficult to say really,” says Lee when asked where Newcastle can get at Forest. “We have the second-best defensive record in the division, and that looks to be one area that Nuno has rectified.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points |
| 1 |  Liverpool |
10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 25 |
| 2 |  Manchester City |
10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 23 |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest |
10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 19 |
| 4 | Chelsea |
10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 18 |
| 5 |  Arsenal |
10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 18 |
“Newcastle typically play a three in midfield, whereas Forest go with a two, so that particular match-up could be where the game is won and lost.”
Central midfield is a position of strength for Newcastle, with Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Sean Longstaff all impressing in recent weeks.
