A place in the third round of the EFL Cup is up for grabs when Nottingham Forest host Newcastle United.
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Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United odds
Find the latest match odds for Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
⚡Quick Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United betting tips
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United predictions
Newcastle United’s principal aim this season is a top-four finish in the Premier League. The club got its first taste of Champions League football in more than two decades last term and it is keen for that experience to be more than a novelty going forward.
Yet if you were to ask any fan camped in the away end at the City Ground on Wednesday evening, they would probably tell you that they would gladly accept missing out on the top four if it meant claiming a first trophy since 1955.
It is a remarkable drought for a club of their size. To be clear, Newcastle have picked up silverware in the last 70 years. Yet none of those prizes could be described as major: a handful of Championship titles, an Anglo-Italian Club, an Intertoto Cup (and they were not sole winners in 2006) and an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
They have gone close on several occasions since that last triumph in the mid-1950s, when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was just 23 years old.
Newcastle have finished as runners-up in the FA Cup on three occasions, while they have also come second twice in both the EFL Cup and Premier League.
Their most recent near-miss was in this very competition the season before last. Newcastle deserved to reach the final, but they were well beaten by Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
With the influx of Saudi money, Newcastle have become more than just a mid-ranking Premier League team again. Their new-found status befits the size of the club, yet their trophy cabinet is not.
Indeed, the likes of Swansea City, Swindon Town, Oxford United, Wimbledon, Portsmouth, Luton Town, Wigan Athletic and (perish the thought for the Toon Army) Sunderland have all got their hands on a significant prize more recently than Newcastle.
That has to change sooner rather than later. This is a tricky second-round clash, but the Magpies must attack Wednesday’s game with intent.
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Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United betting tips
Newcastle United should get the job done against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
Newcastle United to win – 6/5 (BetUK)
Nottingham Forest’s fan base is not as large as Newcastle’s, but they have won two European Cups, a league title, an FA Cup and four EFL Cups since 1955.
Forest were consistent challengers in this tournament under Brian Clough, winning four finals and losing two.
Their supporters would probably be less devastated to suffer an early exit than Newcastle’s. That is not to say Nuno Espirito Santo is unfussed by the outcome of Wednesday’s game, but Forest are still in the process of trying to establish themselves as a top-flight team again.
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Newcastle remain short at centre-back, but there is decent depth elsewhere in the squad. For instance, Harvey Barnes is in line to start after an impressive cameo against Bournemouth last time out, while Sando Tonali is available again after a lengthy ban.
Forest have had a decent start to the season, drawing with Bournemouth and beating Southampton, but they could be second best in this one.
⚽ Go for a Newcastle United win at 6/5 with BetUK ⚽
Under 2.5 goals – 5/4 (BetUK)
These two teams have played a combined four games in 2024/25 and not one of them has featured more than 2.5 goals.
Newcastle beat Southampton 1-0 on the opening weekend, although there would perhaps have been more goals had Fabian Schar not been sent off in the first half. Last time out, Howe’s men drew 1-1 with Bournemouth.
That was the scoreline when Nottingham Forest kick-started their campaign against Bournemouth, before they (like Newcastle) beat Southampton 1-0 in gameweek two.
With both Nuno and Howe likely to make changes to their starting line-ups, this game will not necessarily follow the same pattern.
Even so, these odds are appealing given what we have seen from Forest and Newcastle up to now.
⚽ Tip under 2.5 goals at 5/4 with BetUK ⚽
Callum Wilson to score any time – 23/20 (BetUK)
Callum Wilson is another player in line to start for Newcastle. The England international is good enough to start in the Premier League, but sharing a changing room with a striker as talented as Alexander Isak makes that difficult.
Still, Wilson offers a different threat to Isak and he will have an important role to play this term, especially if Newcastle do end up going deep in at least one of the domestic cup competitions.
The former Bournemouth frontman will be determined to make the most of any opportunities he is granted, starting with Wednesday’s clash at the City Ground.
It is not a given that Wilson will get the nod up front. William Osula, a summer signing from Sheffield United, is another option.
But given Newcastle are facing Premier League opposition, Howe will probably lean towards the more tried-and-trusted option. Back Wilson to repay his manager’s faith.
⚽ Choose Callum Wilson to score any time at 23/20 with BetUK ⚽
📺 How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United
- Location: City Ground, Nottingham, England.
- Date and time: Wednesday 28th August, 8pm.
- How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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