da dobrowin： The Championship leaders Newcastle United face in-form Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Friday night looking to get back to winning ways.
da aposte e ganhe： The Magpies were on a run of nine successive victories before they suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at St James’ Park last weekend.
That defeat was confounded by another loss in midweek when Rafa Benitez’s men were denied a place in semi-finals of the EFL Cup after they were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Hull City.
Despite those disappointments, they are still six points clear of third-placed Blackburn in England’s second tier and they remain on course for an immediate return to the Premier League,
But, they come up against a Forest team that will be full of confidence after winning their last two matches, recording 2-0 and 5-2 away wins against Ipswich Town and Barnsley respectively.
Here is FootballFanCast’s Newcastle XI to beat Nottingham Forest on Friday…
GK: Karl Darlow
With Matz Sels, Rob Elliot and Darlow to choose from when all three are fit, Rafa Benitez has lots of quality to call upon when choosing someone to play in goal.
Despite not starting the season between the sticks, the latter has established himself as Benitez’s first choice in the Championship since the end of September and having kept four clean sheets in nine league appearances, Darlow should be recalled to the starting XI against his former side at the City Ground.
RB: Vurnon Anita
Like Darlow, Anita appears to be Benitez’s preferred choice at right-back this season and the Dutchman enjoyed a relatively comfortable afternoon in the televised 2-0 win against Leeds at Elland Road a fortnight ago.
The 27-year-old was then dropped as Benitez rotated his squad against Blackburn, before coming back in the starting XI against Hull in midweek.
The former Liverpool boss is likely to keep faith with the experienced Netherlands international on Friday night.
CB: Ciaran Clark
The summer signing from Aston Villa has formed a great partnership alongside Jamaal Lascelles at the heart of the Newcastle defence this season and the Republic of Ireland international appears to be Benitez’s first choice centre-back right now.
The 27-year-old will have to be at his best on Friday night if Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga is passed fit after a hamstring problem – the attacker has scored six goals in eight appearances for the Reds this term.
CB: Jamaal Lascelles
The Newcastle captain has been one of the stand-out players for the club this season as they have risen to the top of the Championship standings.
The centre-back has shown a real maturity, desire and leadership this term at the heart of the defence alongside Ciaran Clark and the former Nottingham Forest man will want to put in a commanding performance when he returns to face his old side at the City Ground on Friday night.
LB: Paul Dummett
The Welshman has been a key cog in the regular back four for Newcastle in the Championship this season and that settled defence has been part of the reason why the club are flying so high in the standings.
While he is defensively sound, Dummett also gives the team an outlet going forward on the left-hand side and he will be looking to attack as the Magpies aim to get back to winning ways on Friday night.
RM: Matt Ritchie
A few eyebrows were raised when Ritchie made the drop down to the Championship to join Newcastle in the summer, but it has proved to be a worthwhile move for both parties.
The winger has been one of his side’s main attacking threats all season and the former Bournemouth man will be looking to once again bring a goal threat as well as providing some creativity for whichever striker is starting against Forest on Friday.
CM: Jack Colback
The midfielder has been one of Newcastle’s best performers in the middle of the park this season and it may not be a coincidence that their last two games have ended in defeat with him out of action with an eye injury.
Benitez will certainly hope that Colback is available for selection again on Friday night to renew what has been a fruitful partnership with Jonjo Shelvey this term, and his energy in midfield could be key to the Magpies getting back to winning ways.
CM: Jonjo Shelvey
While Newcastle boss Benitez made six changes to his side for the visit of Blackburn last weekend, Shelvey was one of the players to keep his place in the side, and he also started the EFL Cup tie against Hull on Tuesday.
His penalty in the shootout against the Tigers was poor and he will want to make up for it against Forest on Friday night by driving the team back to winning ways.
LM: Yoan Gouffran
The French winger was one of the players that was dropped from the starting XI against Blackburn after the comfortable 2-0 success against Leeds at Elland Road the week before, and he will be hoping that Benitez’s rotation sees him named back in the team for the trip to Forest.
While he often struggled in the Premier League, Gouffran has been more influential for the Magpies this season and he has three Championship goals to his name.
AM: Ayoze Perez
The Spaniard is one of Newcastle’s best technical players and Benitez is obviously a huge fan with the attacker, who has started the majority of his side’s matches in the Championship this season.
While he has the quick feet, link-up play and ability to create chances and unlock defences, he has also provided a real goal threat for the team this term and has netted six in all competitions – only Dwight Gayle has scored more (13).
ST: Dwight Gayle
Again, Newcastle’s top goalscorer was one of the players that was named on the substitutes’ bench for the match against Blackburn at St James’ Park last weekend, and the Magpies failed to score.
It would seem crazy to drop a striker that has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, and surely Benitez won’t make the same mistake as his team look to pick up three points to start another winning run at Forest.