Newcastle United star who tore Nottingham Forest to shreds this season is now not available
Newcastle United will look to secure a Premier League double over Nottingham Forest this Sunday, a critical fixture in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Eddie Howe’s team will aim to recover swiftly from their disappointing 4-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend, a performance that ranks among their worst of the season.
With a challenging set of fixtures ahead, including matches against Forest and Liverpool, and the Carabao Cup final on the horizon, Howe must keep his squad focused on the league to maintain momentum.
Sunday’s clash carries significant weight, especially as Forest is a direct competitor for a top-four finish. Howe will hope his team can replicate their previous success against Forest earlier in the season.
This match marks the third meeting between the two clubs in this campaign, with the prior encounters delivering drama and crucial victories for Newcastle.
The first encounter came in August during the Carabao Cup, a game that set the tone for Newcastle’s eventual journey to Wembley. At City Ground, Joe Willock opened the scoring in the first minute, but the match ultimately went to a penalty shootout.
Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, and Sean Longstaff all converted their penalties, securing Newcastle’s progression to the next round. That win proved to be the beginning of a promising cup run that now sees Newcastle preparing for a final appearance next month.
In November, Newcastle faced Forest again, this time in a Premier League fixture. The match ended in a 3-1 victory for the Magpies, with all three goals coming in the second half. Murillo initially gave Forest the lead, but Newcastle responded decisively.
Isak, Joelinton, and Harvey Barnes found the back of the net, securing an essential three points in their campaign. Joelinton, in particular, delivered a standout performance, earning a 9/10 rating and demonstrating his versatility by playing on the left wing.
His contribution that day included scoring Newcastle’s second goal, a vital moment that helped turn the game in their favor.
However, Newcastle will face Forest this time without Joelinton, who has been sidelined with a knee injury. Fans spotted the Brazilian midfielder wearing a knee brace ahead of the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal, raising concerns about his availability.
Howe later confirmed that Joelinton’s absence was felt during the defeat to Manchester City, and he remains unavailable for Sunday’s clash. Despite this setback, the manager is optimistic that Joelinton will recover in time for the Carabao Cup final next month, a crucial match for the club.
The stakes for this weekend’s game are immense, not only because of the league standings but also to build confidence ahead of the cup final. Newcastle cannot afford distractions, as their rivals for Champions League qualification continue to apply pressure.
Howe will rely on the depth and resilience of his squad to navigate this challenging period and deliver the kind of performance that has characterized their season.
As the team prepares for this pivotal fixture, Newcastle fans will hope to see a response from their players after last weekend’s disappointment. Securing a victory over Forest would provide a much-needed boost and reestablish momentum in their push for a top-four finish.
With their recent history of success against Forest and the stakes higher than ever, Newcastle has every incentive to rise to the occasion and deliver a performance worthy of their ambitions.