You know those football matches that just seem to have "it"? That weird, intangible energy where you know something chaotic is going to happen before the whistle even blows? That is basically Newcastle vs Nottm Forest lately. Gone are the days when this was just a mid-table slog. Now, it’s a clash of two fanbases that are equally loud, two clubs with massive ambitions, and a bizarre trend of former players coming back to haunt their old employers.
If you’ve been following the Premier League this season, you’ve seen the shift. Newcastle is trying to cement that elite status while Forest is essentially a high-wire act of tactical experiments and "vibes." Honestly, every time these two meet, the form book goes right out the window. It’s great.
What Really Happened With Newcastle vs Nottm Forest Recently
The most recent meeting at St James' Park back in October was a perfect example of why this game is a nightmare for bookies. Newcastle walked away with a 2-0 win, but that scoreline doesn't even begin to tell the story of how much pressure was on the touchline. Forest arrived under the new management of Ange Postecoglou—a move that still feels a bit surreal to talk about—and they looked like a team trying to learn a new language while running a marathon.
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Bruno Guimaraes eventually broke the deadlock with a 25-yard screamer in the 58th minute. It was one of those goals where the keeper, Matz Sels (who, let's not forget, used to play for Newcastle), could only watch it curl into the top corner. Then you had Nick Woltemade. The guy has been a revelation. He stepped up to bury a penalty late in the game after Elliot Anderson—another "one of our own" for the Geordies now wearing a Forest shirt—clipped Guimaraes in the box.
The irony was everywhere. You have Chris Wood, a former Newcastle striker, leading the line for Forest. You have Anthony Elanga, who Newcastle spent a fortune on from Forest, flying down the wing. It’s like a giant game of musical chairs where everyone remembers exactly who took their seat.
The Tactics: Why It’s Never Boring
Eddie Howe has turned Newcastle into this high-intensity machine. They want to pin you back. They want to cross the ball until your defenders' heads spin. In that October game, they absolutely dominated the air. With guys like Dan Burn and Sven Botman lurking at set pieces, Forest’s backline looked genuinely terrified every time a corner was awarded.
Forest, on the other hand, under "Angeball," is... well, it’s a choice. They play a high line that is basically an invitation for Anthony Gordon to sprint into 40 yards of open space. It’s bold. Some might say suicidal. But it makes for incredible television. They focus heavily on attacking down the wings through Neco Williams and Callum Hudson-Odoi, but if they don't finish their chances—which has been their Achilles' heel all season—they get shredded on the counter-attack.
A Quick History Lesson (The Fun Kind)
If you look back at the last few years, the goals have been flying in.
- February 2025: A 4-3 thriller at St James' Park. Alexander Isak scored twice in 111 seconds.
- Christmas 2023: Chris Wood scored a hat-trick against Newcastle at St James'. That was the moment everyone realized Forest wasn't just there to make up the numbers.
- August 2024: A 1-1 draw in the League Cup that went to penalties. Newcastle scraped through, but it was ugly.
Interestingly, this fixture hasn't ended in a draw in the Premier League for ages. Since 1996, someone always finds a way to win. It’s like both teams have a mutual agreement that a point is boring and they’d rather go for broke.
The "Former Player" Curse
Football fans love a narrative, and the Newcastle vs Nottm Forest rivalry is built on them. It’s basically a support group for players who didn't quite fit at one club and became superstars at the other.
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Elliot Anderson is the big one. Geordie born and bred, sold to Forest to help Newcastle meet those annoying PSR (Profit and Sustainability) rules. Seeing him tackle Bruno Guimaraes in the middle of St James' Park feels wrong to some fans, but that’s the modern game. Then you have Chris Wood. He was a functional, "job-done" striker for Newcastle. At Forest? He’s been a goal-scoring machine at times.
It adds this layer of "I’ll show them" to every tackle. You can see it in the way the players celebrate. There’s a bit more edge. A bit more needle.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
People tend to think Newcastle’s massive wealth means they should just roll over teams like Forest. But the City Ground is a different beast entirely. When that "Mull of Kintyre" starts playing, the atmosphere is suffocating. Newcastle has struggled there in the past because they get caught up in the emotion of the game.
Another misconception is that Forest is just a "defensive" side. Not anymore. Even when they're losing, they're usually trying to attack. They just happen to have a defense that occasionally forgets how to mark at corners. Newcastle’s weakness? They sometimes struggle to kill games off. They’ll have 70% possession, 20 shots, and still find themselves sweating in the 89th minute when Ryan Yates starts throwing himself at everything in the box.
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Looking Ahead: The Return Leg in May
Mark your calendars for May 9, 2026. Newcastle has to travel to the City Ground. By then, the stakes are going to be astronomical. Newcastle will likely be fighting for a European spot, and Forest... well, they’ll probably be fighting for their lives or trying to prove that Postecoglou was the right choice after all.
Injuries are already playing a part. Newcastle lost Tino Livramento to a nasty knee injury earlier in the season, and Forest has been missing Murillo on and off, which basically leaves their defense looking like a piece of Swiss cheese. Whoever manages their squad depth better through the grueling winter months is going to have the upper hand when they meet again.
Tactical Insights for Your Next Watch
If you're sitting down to watch the next installment of Newcastle vs Nottm Forest, keep an eye on these specific battles. It’s where the game is won or lost.
- The High Line vs. Anthony Gordon: If Forest sticks to a high defensive line, Gordon will have a field day. If they drop deep, Newcastle might struggle to break them down.
- Sandro Tonali’s Positioning: Since his return, Tonali has been the "X-factor." His ability to play those dinked balls over the top is a nightmare for Forest’s center-backs.
- The Morgan Gibbs-White Factor: He is the heartbeat of Forest. If Guimaraes and Joelinton can bully him out of the game, Forest has no Plan B.
- Set Piece Chaos: Newcastle is statistically one of the best in the league at attacking set pieces. Forest is... not. Watch for Dan Burn to be a constant nuisance at every corner.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Lineups Early: Both Eddie Howe and Ange Postecoglou love a late tactical tweak. Keep an eye on whether Nick Woltemade starts or if Alexander Isak is being rotated for European games.
- Monitor the PSR News: These two clubs are the poster children for "spending to compete." Any news on points deductions or transfer restrictions usually breaks around the time they play each other.
- Watch the Wing-Back Battles: In the 2025/26 season, the game is won in the wide areas. Watch Neco Williams vs. Lewis Hall. It’s usually a track meet.
- Follow the Injury Reports: Both squads are thin. One injury to a guy like Murillo or Sven Botman completely changes how these teams defend.
At the end of the day, Newcastle vs Nottm Forest has become a highlight of the Premier League calendar. It’s loud, it’s messy, and it’s rarely a 0-0. Whether you’re a Magpie or a Garibaldi, you know you’re in for a stressful 90 minutes. And honestly? That's exactly why we watch.