Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United
England – League Cup
Date: Wednesday, 29 August 2018
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham.
Team News
Nottingham Forest
Diogo Gonçalves was only fit enough to make the bench at the weekend but he could push for minutes in midweek.
Jordan Smith was sent off in the last round of the EFL Cup and will serve his suspension here, meaning Costel Pantilimon may not get a rest on Wednesday.
Sam Byram and Adlène Guédioura are also expected to miss out for the home side.
Aitor Karanka shuffled his pack in the last round but Forest have the chance to dump out a Premier League side here, so he may play some of his key men here.
Newcastle United
Jamaal Lascelles could be denied a return to his boyhood club Nottingham Forest after being dropped from the matchday squad against Chelsea due to a reported training ground bust-up with Rafa Benitez.
Jonjo Shelvey was also absent from the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, owing to a thigh injury, and he may not be risked here.
Kenedy was not eligible to face his parent club at the weekend but will return to the fold for Wednesday's EFL Cup tie.
Isaac Hayden is currently serving a three-match ban in the Premier League but new rules states that suspension will only apply to the same competition, therefore making him free to play here.
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United: Head-to-head
Newcastle United lead the head to head tie by 11 wins coming into 73rd encounter with the Reds.
Each of last four H2H matches saw both teams on the scoreline and three or more goals scored.
The two sides met each other just at this stage of the same competition last year and back then the Reds picked up a 2-3 victory away at St. James’ Park (after extra-time).
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United: Prediction
Newcastle had a rough schedule at the start of the new Premier League season, but Rafael Benitez can’t find it as an excuse for really poor set of performances his men offered in three opening rounds. The Magpies parked the bus against both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea (1-2 losses) and failed to break the deadlock in the home clash with recently-promoted Cardiff City (a goalless draw) in between these ties.
Nottingham’s back line revealed the lack of meticulousness at the weekend when the Reds had to chase a 0-2 deficit against Birmingham City at The City Ground. They eventually earned a point on the afternoon thanks to goals from Joe Lolley and Daryl Murphy.
Given the hosts are still unbeaten in the new season and that they’ll be up against the struggling opposition (one point from three matches), we will back the Reds not to lose as the main betting option at the odds of 1.55.
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United: Bet Tips
Nottingham Forest or Draw Double Chance @ 1.55
Newcastle United Under 1.5 Team Goals @ 1.61.