- Newcastle United face Nottingham Forest on Sunday
- Hosts down after European defeat but in relegation battle
- Alan Shearer and Paul Merson predictions
Newcastle United will have their hopes of Champions League qualification this season finally crushed by Nottingham Forest this weekend, according to pundits Alan Shearer and Paul Merson.
It’s only the most optimistic of Magpies supporters who believe that the side will pick up wins against Forest, West Ham and Fulham, as well as seeing other results go in their favour.
That is what is needed for Eddie Howe’s side to book a second consecutive campaign in the Champions League. The possibility of Europa League or Europa Conference League football is more likely, but still requires a strong end to the campaign.
Alan Shearer: ‘Tough one to predict’
Newcastle are looking to build on a 2-1 victory over Brighton last time out, in what was a victory that ended a five-match run of defeats. Standing in their way is a Nottingham Forest side carrying weary legs and hearts after being knocked out the Europa League on Thursday, but with plenty to play for amid a relegation battle.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer believes that Vitor Pereira’s side won’t go down without a fight. In his matchweek predictions, he told Betfair: “Tough one to predict
“I mean, Morgan Gibbs-White is flying. I know he got an injury the other day, whether he’ll be fit or not, we’ll have to wait and see. But again, I think, given the circumstances, with Forest in Europe and Newcastle winning last weekend, I’m going to say a draw.”
It remains to be seen whether the talented Gibbs-White does appear on Sunday. Speaking midweek, Pereira said: “There is a lot of players all out. (Ola) Aina, out. Dan Ndoye, out. (Ibrahim) Sangare, out. Callum (Hudson-Odoi), out. Murillo, out. Morgan, out. It is too much. I don’t know if some or one of them can recover for the next match.
“I cannot answer because I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know about Morgan. I don’t know about Ola. Callum is finished for the season. I don’t know about Murillo. Dan, I think Dan maybe can come back. But in the end, I need tomorrow. That’s the day to understand the situation.”
Nottingham Forest backed to frustrate Newcastle United
Meanwhile, former Arsenal man Paul Merson agreed with Shearer’s prediction of a draw. The Sky Sports pundit backed Forest to get a point and keep their hopes of Premier League survival alive.
He told Sportskeeda: “It was a big win for Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on Monday. They rested a lot of players and still did great. I like how they played two strikers at the top and that destroyed Chelsea. I don’t think the Chelsea defenders could handle two of them!
“Thanks to their recent form in the Premier League, Forest are now six points clear of the relegation zone with a healthy goal difference. A win for Arsenal against West Ham could be a massive boost for their survival hopes. But they face Newcastle before that game and I believe they can get something out of it.
“It will be an unbelievable season for Nottingham Forest if they can win the Europa League and avoid relegation. It’s the same for Aston Villa too. I actually think people stopped taking the Europa League seriously after its name was changed. When it was the old UEFA Cup, this was a massive trophy to win!
“Backing Forest to get a draw against Newcastle and seal their survival in the top-flight. If they get a point, West Ham will have to win all three of their remaining games and I don’t see that happening.”
In other news, Newcastle United aim to improve £25m shirt deal as they reject Chelsea and Nottingham Forest trend.
