Football is funny. Some rivalries are born of geography, like the North London Derby or the M62 drama between Liverpool and United. But Nottingham Forest v Newcastle? This one has become a slow-burn powder keg for reasons nobody really saw coming a few years ago. It’s not about distance; it’s about the sheer chaos that seems to follow whenever these two step onto the grass.
Think back to the October 2025 clash at St. James' Park. Newcastle walked away with a 2-0 win, but the scoreline hides the absolute stress of that second half. Bruno Guimarães, who basically runs the midfield with a kind of arrogant elegance, finally broke a deadlocked first half with a 25-yard screamer. Then you had Nick Woltemade—the German kid who’s been on fire since arriving from Stuttgart—sealing it with a penalty.
That game was a massive turning point for Forest. Or rather, a breaking point.
✨ Don't miss: Steph Curry Holding Trophy: What Most People Get Wrong About the Iconic Photos
The Ange Postecoglou Factor at the City Ground
Forest took a massive gamble by bringing in Ange Postecoglou in late 2024. Honestly, it hasn’t been the fairytale people expected. By the time they faced Newcastle in October 2025, Ange was seven games deep without a single win. You could see the frustration on his face. He’d ditched the famous anorak for a zip-up cardigan, pacing the touchline while his team struggled to turn possession into actual goals.
The tactical battle was a mess of "what-ifs."
Forest’s defensive quintet, led by Nikola Milenković, actually looked solid for about 58 minutes. They were compact. They were disciplined. They made Newcastle look sluggish. But when you’ve got someone like Sandro Tonali or Guimarães in the middle, "disciplined" usually isn't enough. One slip from Morgan Gibbs-White, one quick transition, and the game was gone.
Why the Magpies Keep Ruining Forest's Weekend
If you look at the recent head-to-head record, it’s getting a bit one-sided, which is exactly why Forest fans are so desperate for a result in their upcoming May 2026 fixture. Newcastle has won seven of the last eight league meetings. That’s a stat that stings.
- The February 2025 Thriller: Newcastle won 4-3 in a game that felt like a fever dream.
- The November 2024 Comeback: Forest led 1-0 via Murillo, only for Newcastle to storm back and win 3-1.
- The 2025 Shutout: The recent 2-0 win that cemented Newcastle’s top-half ambitions while leaving Forest in the relegation scrap.
The most annoying thing for the Garibaldi faithful? It’s often their own former players doing the damage. Elliot Anderson moving to Forest was supposed to be a win for them, but he’s the one who gave away the penalty in that October match. Football has a cruel sense of irony like that.
👉 See also: Walt Frazier NBA Playoffs MSG History: What Really Happened in 1970
Looking Toward the City Ground Clash in May 2026
Mark your calendars for May 9, 2026. This is the big one.
Newcastle is pushing for European spots again under Eddie Howe, while Forest is fighting for its Premier League life. The City Ground under the lights is a different beast, but Newcastle has actually won on their last three visits there.
Eddie Howe’s tactical blueprint usually involves a high-energy press that Forest's backline—specifically players like Jair Cunha and Morato—has struggled to navigate under pressure. Forest needs to find a way to stop the supply to Nick Woltemade. The kid is making history. He joined Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand as one of the few players to score in each of his first three home starts for the club. He’s the real deal.
Tactical Reality: What Forest Needs to Change
If Forest wants to flip the script on Nottingham Forest v Newcastle, they have to stop being so "nice" in the final third. They have the creative numbers. They find the spaces. But Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi have been misfiring at the worst possible times.
- Stop the Midfield Leak: Every time Guimarães gets time on the ball, Forest concedes. They need a dedicated "destroyer" to sit on him.
- Exploit Dan Burn: Nicolo Savona actually had some success against the big man in their last meeting. Using pace out wide is the only way to stretch this Newcastle defense.
- Survive the Second Half: Newcastle has a habit of "upping the gears" after the 60-minute mark. Forest needs to manage their substitutions better than Ange did in October.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Finish
If you're following this rivalry closely or looking ahead to the next match, keep an eye on the injury reports for Anthony Gordon. His pace is the engine for Newcastle's counter-attack. For Forest, it's all about whether Morgan Gibbs-White can find his 2023 form. Without him clicking, they’re just a defensive shell.
Watch the odds as we get closer to May. Right now, Newcastle are heavy favorites based on recent history, but the City Ground has a way of leveling the playing field when survival is on the line.
To get the most out of the next fixture, look at the "Under 2.5 Goals" market if Forest continues their compact defensive setup, but if they go for "Ange-ball" from the whistle, expect a repeat of that 4-3 madness we saw last year.
Check the official Premier League app 48 hours before kickoff for confirmed lineup changes, as Eddie Howe has been rotating his midfield frequently to keep Tonali and Willock fresh for the final sprint.