Today is the day. Newcastle get their 2022/23 Premier League season underway with a home fixture against Nottingham Forest. What can we expect?
Notts Forest have been absent from the Premier League since before the turn of the millennium, and judging by their activity in the transfer market, they have no intention of this being a fleeting visit. Manager, Steve Cooper, has practically bought himself an entirely new squad, something that was desperately needed given that most of the players who helped the East Midlands club gain promotion were loanees.
The marquee signing Cooper has made has to be former Newcastle target, Jesse Lingard, who has joined one a one-year deal. Lingard has undoubted Premier League quality and will have a huge part to play in the fortunes of Forest this year along with another Toon-linked player in Manchester United’s Dean Henderson who has joined Forest on a season-long loan. Both players will be out to impress in order to get themselves back in Gareth Southgate’s plans with the World Cup coming this winter.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have bolstered their back line with the acquisitions of Nick Pope, Sven Botman and the permanent signing of Matt Targett, so Lingard is going to have his work cut out for him should he find himself in the starting lineup today.
Forest have an entirely new squad along with a couple of injury problems, so Newcastle should be able to capitalise on a team that haven’t really had time to gel together. Backed by the Toon Army who are itching to get back into St James’ Park and make their voices heard, I can’t see this one going any other way other than a home win for the Magpies.
Howe has had all summer to get his players drilled in how he’d like them to play, and while we are yet to add anything up front, we have Almiron knocking in goals for fun in pre-season and a fully fit Callum Wilson, and let’s not forget Bruno.
Prediction: 3-0, Wilson (2), Trippier
What say you? Let us know in the comments. And if you’re going to the match today, enjoy and stay safe!
THINK YOU KNOW NEWCASTLE? WHO IS THIS FORMER MAGPIE?