Forest Vs Newcastle

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Nottingham Forest is set to host Newcastle United at the City Ground for an all-Premier League encounter in the second round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday. Both teams have had promising starts to their league campaigns, each accumulating four points from their opening two matches. They will now look to replicate their past successes in this competition, reminiscent of their impressive runs during the 2022-23 season.

Match Preview

Nottingham Forest's Form and Ambitions

Nottingham Forest, under the stewardship of Nuno Espirito Santo, have made a solid start to the season, largely due to a favorable fixture list. Currently positioned in the top seven of the Premier League, Forest's early-season performances have been encouraging. Despite being minutes away from securing a win against Bournemouth on the opening day, Forest managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Southampton in their latest match.

In that game, Forest dominated proceedings despite having only 35% possession. They managed to outshoot Southampton 23 to 5, with an expected goals (xG) value nearly two higher than their opponents, showcasing their efficiency despite limited possession. With a forthcoming clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, a team coming off a heavy 6-2 defeat, Forest will be optimistic about maintaining their form.

However, their immediate focus shifts to cup matters. Nuno Espirito Santo aims to guide his team to a successful cup run similar to their EFL Cup journey 18 months ago, which saw them reach the semi-finals. Their cup aspirations were thwarted by Manchester United in that campaign, and last season's cup run was notably disappointing as Burnley eliminated them in the second round, marking their sixth exit at this stage in the 21st century.

Historically, early exits from the EFL Cup have been a pattern for Forest, including six first-round exits during their time as an EFL side. Nevertheless, they have had notable successes against Newcastle United in this competition, having knocked them out in consecutive seasons in 2017 and 2018.

Newcastle United's Cup Journey and Current Challenges

Newcastle United, managed by Eddie Howe, enters this fixture having experienced a mixed bag of results in their league campaign. After a remarkable journey to the EFL Cup final in 2023, where they fell to Manchester United, Newcastle's recent cup performance was less fortunate. Last season, they faced a quarter-final exit after a penalty shootout loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Returning to the EFL Cup this season, Newcastle's aim is to progress beyond the second round, a stage where they have been eliminated four times since 2017—twice at the hands of Forest. The Magpies' league performance so far this season has been characterized by fortunate results. They secured a narrow 1-0 win over Southampton in their opener, despite playing with ten men for over an hour, and benefited from a controversial VAR decision to deny Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara a late winner in their recent fixture at the Vitality Stadium.

Despite these fortuitous circumstances, Newcastle demonstrated resilience, with Anthony Gordon scoring their equalizer against Bournemouth. Gordon's contribution will be pivotal as Newcastle seeks to balance their league and cup commitments effectively. As they prepare for the clash against Forest, Howe's side will need to improve their overall performance to sustain their challenges on multiple fronts.

Key Factors and Expectations

Both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United have had their share of successes and challenges in domestic cup competitions. Forest's ambition to recreate their 2022-23 cup run and Newcastle's desire to progress further in the EFL Cup will make for an intriguing contest.

Forest's home advantage and current form, combined with their historical success against Newcastle in this competition, could give them the edge. However, Newcastle's potential to improve and their experience from previous cup runs will make them formidable opponents.

As the second round of the EFL Cup approaches, fans can expect an exciting match that highlights both teams' strengths and ambitions. The outcome will not only influence their cup aspirations but also provide insights into their readiness for the challenges ahead in their respective league campaigns.