E.ON Spotlight: Forest v Newcastle

The Reds are back in Premier League action on Friday evening with a clash against Newcastle United at The City Ground. Here, we take a look at everything you need to know about the two sides ahead of the fixture...

FIXTURE DETAILS

Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United
Premier League
The City Ground
Friday 17 March, 20:00 GMT

Referee: Paul Tierney
Assistant Referee: Constantine Hatzidakis
Assistant Referee: Neil Davies
Fourth official: Graham Scott
VAR: Peter Bankes

HEAD COACH'S VIEW

Head Coach Steve Cooper spoke to the media this week to preview the clash against Eddie Howe's side.

"Friday night football at The City Ground. These are the games and nights we all crave for, we’re looking forward to it. 

“We’ve got to relish the challenge and give everything to win the next game. There’s no better feeling, a win in the Premier League is a consequence of giving everything on the pitch. We can leave nothing. We’ve got to go into the game ready to give everything.”

Supporters can view the full pre-match interview with Steve Cooper on Forest TV here.

LAST TIME OUT

Our last meeting against Newcastle came back in August as The Reds were beaten in their first Premier League away fixture of the campaign. Second half goals from Fabian Schär and Callum Wilson earned Eddie Howe's side the points at St James' Park.

Forest's last away victory against The Magpies came in August 2017 as goals from Jason Cummings (2) and Tyler Walker earned The Reds a 3-2 victory in the League Cup.

RECENT FORM

Newcastle currently sit 5th in the Premier League table after 25 games, winning 11, drawing eleven and losing 3 so far. 

The Magpies beat Wolves 2-1 at St James' Park on Sunday thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Miguel Almirón, returning to winning ways following the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City and league loss to Manchester City.

Former Forest defender Jamaal Lascelles captains Howe's side, while Almirón leads the goalscoring charts with 11 goals so far this season.

Forest head into Friday night's game off the back of a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, Joe Worrall netting a late consolation following strikes from Harry Kane (2) and Heung-min Son in North London.

The Reds remain 14th in the league, two points above the relegation zone and just one point behind 12th place Crystal Palace.

PLAYED FOR BOTH: JAMES PERCH

Perch joined the Forest Academy in 1996 before signing professional terms on Trentside in 2004. The defender made his debut for The Reds on the opening day of the 2004/05 campaign in a 1-1 draw away at Wigan Athletic.

His first goal in the Garibaldi came against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup in October 2004, and went on to make 217 appearances in all competitions before departing The City Ground in 2010.

Perch joined Premier League side Newcastle in July 2010, scoring a solitary goal for The Magpies against Manchester United during the 2012/13 season in a 4-3 defeat at Old Trafford.

The Mansfield-born defender made 81 appearances in total for the Toon Army before signing for Wigan Athletic in July 2013. The 37-year-old then had spells at QPR and Scunthorpe United before joining his hometown team in August 2020, and is still a mainstay in The Stags' backline.