Wednesday 23th August 2017 Kickoff:1945hrs Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest Football – England – Football League Cup Despite winning the Championship and returning to the Premier League less than three months ago, the feel good factor has long since dissipated for Newcastle and Rafael Benitez. On going disputes between Benitez and the owner over transfers combined with two straight defeats to open the new campaign have erased a lot of the optimism. It’s been the opposite for Nottingham Forest, however, who only secured their Championship future on the final day of the last season. Mark Warburton has appeared to turn their fortunes around over the close season and sit inside the top six with three wins from the first four. The two meet in the League Cup at St James’ Park.
The debate between Mike Ashley and Benitez has been rumbling on for a number of weeks now and it’s been done so in a very public manner. It will be far from ideal for all the Newcastle players and supporters who would have been looking to hit the ground running having won promotion last season. On the face of it going by the first couple of games the squad certainly looks to be lacking in real quality for the level of the Premier League level and somebody as experienced as Benitez will be well aware of what is required for Newcastle to survive and avoid a return to the Championship at the first time of asking. Having yet to score a goal in either of their games thus far it’s the attacking options available to the manager that will be a severe limitation in their quest for a positive season. Benitez may see this competition as a an opportunity for his strikers to get some confidence.
Even when Warburton arrived in March of this year, there was no significant improved in Nottingham Forest’s fortunes hence why it took them until the final day before they could ensure they would be playing Championship football for the coming campaign. The close season and a number of newly signed players seems to have been the making of them, however, if the first few games are anything to go by. Saturday’s excellent win over the much fancied Middlesbrough was their third straight home success in all competitions this season, having already defeated Millwall and Shrewsbury – the latter of which coming in this competition. Although it’s still very early days to be getting excited it’s a much more positive start to the season than most fans would have predicted and they’ll travel to the north east on Wednesday full of confidence.
Newcastle v Nottingham Forest Betting Tip
It’s difficult to know how serious Benitez is going to take this competition. On one hand it’s an opportunity against a club from a lower league which could see an opportunity to get a much needed win and some confidence restored for their league game at the weekend. However, it may also be seen as a distraction considering the noises he has been making about the lack of options in the squad. I fully expect the Spaniard to make a number of changes no matter and that could play into the visitor’s hands. We’ve seen on Tuesday night that Bristol City caused a surprised against Watford and Forest are capable of a similar result considering the form they’re in, especially in attack.
As it’s the League Cup and a number of variables exist without knowing the team, I would suggest smaller stakes than usual but a speculative bet on the away team is the way to go.
Nottingham Forest 7/1 @ Bet365
