Top four hopefuls Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest go head-to-head at St James’ Park this Sunday in the Premier League.

Both sides are pushing for Champions League qualification as the matches tick away but suffered setbacks in their European bids last weekend. Newcastle tasted a hefty 4-0 defeat to misfiring Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, while Forest were frustrated on their travels during their 2-1 loss at Fulham.

It’s the Midlands club that are currently in the driving seat to qualify for the Champions League, sat third in the table and six points clear of Newcastle. The Magpies are still within striking distance of their competitors but can ill-afford to drop points at home this weekend.

Here is 90min’s guide to a crunch clash.

Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

Eddie Howe has confirmed that Sven Botman will almost certainly miss out on Sunday’s battle, while Joelinton is unlikely to feature despite making encouraging progress in his recovery from injury. With the Carabao Cup final on the horizon, no risks will be taken with two crucial players.

Jamaal Lascelles is still missing in defence as he recovers from an ACL tear, with Fabian Schar and Dan Burn the likely centre-back partnership against former Newcastle forward and in-form Forest star Chris Wood.

Tino Livramento could return to the starting lineup after Kieran Trippier struggled against Manchester City last weekend.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Forest (4-2-3-1): Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Forest should welcome Taiwo Awoniyi back into the fold against Newcastle. The striker suffered a broken nose and concussion against Exeter City in the FA Cup fourth round but will be available providing he wears a protective face mask.

Back-up goalkeeper Carlos Miguel is the only fitness concern for Nuno Espirito Santo after suffering a hamstring injury against Exeter. He is expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future, with Wayne Hennessey replacing him on the bench.

Wood is not the only other former Newcastle employee returning to Tyneside, with £35m summer signing Elliot Anderson likely to start at St James’ Park.

Forest predicted lineup vs Newcastle (3-5-2): Sels; Morato, Milenkovic, Murillo; Aina, Gibbs-White, Danilo, Anderson, Williams; Wood, Elanga.

Forest had earned renown for their defensive record earlier this season and while they are still strong in their own third, they have looked increasingly porous as the campaign has wore on. Up against Alexander Isak and company, keeping an 11th clean sheet in the Premier League will be a tall order.

Newcastle produced a surprisingly lethargic performance in Manchester last weekend and have wobbled in recent weeks after a strong festive spell. They will be the side providing much of the energy on Saturday against a deep-lying defence and will be confident of breaching their backline at some stage – whether or not they can keep Wood out is another question entirely.

Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Nottingham Forest

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