Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Nottingham Forestpublished at 10:02 BST 5 October
10:02 BST 5 October
Newcastle scored four goals in Belgium in midweek - the same number as they have managed in their first six league games.
Eddie Howe's side are the joint-lowest scorers in the Premier League, along with Villa and Wolves, so getting a big win like that will be important for them.
They have lost twice at home already, but that was to Arsenal and Liverpool, and on both occasions to late goals.
Yes, the Gunners were the better team on Sunday but Newcastle had lots of chances against Liverpool so they can definitely feel a bit hard done by.
I am expecting them to get more chances here, because I think this game will be really open with both teams going for it.
I am going to go with Newcastle to be wearing their shooting boots again, and keep Ange Postecoglou waiting for his first Premier League win.
Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:51 BST 4 October
12:51 BST 4 October
Newcastle are seeking back-to-back wins for the first time this term and face a Nottingham Forest side seemingly stuck in reverse. BBC Sport explores some key themes before Sunday's clash on Tyneside.
When Ange Postecoglou took the reins at Nottingham Forest a little over three weeks ago there were obvious questions about the logic of his appointment.
A coach wedded to high-pressing, possession-based principles was now in charge of a group drilled to sit in low blocks and counter attack under the more pragmatic Nuno Espirito Santo.
Winning over the fans was always going to take time given the popularity of his predecessor, as was the enormous shift of tactical styles. But not many would have foreseen such a poor start.
Postecoglou is the first permanent Forest manager in 100 years to go without a win in his opening six matches, with his fourth defeat coming at home to Danish side FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday.
The first European fixture at the City Ground for 29 years promised to be a joyous occasion, but after the 3-2 loss Postecoglou was subjected to chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" by the home support.
"The fans are disappointed. I heard their opinion," said Postecoglou. "I would prefer if people were optimistic in their outlook of what I'm doing. I can only change that by winning games of football."
Newcastle away is the next test for Postecoglou and his personal record at St. James' Park is two defeats from two previous visits with Spurs, including a 4-0 thrashing in April 2024. Forest's record is even worse – they've lost eight of their last nine visits to Tyneside, conceding 24 goals across in that time.
Are Newcastle clicking into gear?
Newcastle are heading into this weekend as the Premier League's joint-lowest scorers with just four goals so far. Six points from six games also represents their worst start to a season under head coach Eddie Howe.
But there is reason to believe that his side have started to click, especially if their midweek performance is anything to go by.
The Magpies recorded their biggest ever Champions League win with a 4-0 victory over Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday. It was also their first away triumph in the competition for 22 years.
"Hopefully it helps us when we return to the Premier League because we've been waiting for a performance like that," said Howe after the match. "It wasn't perfect – there are things we can improve – but it was a big step in the right direction."
Anthony Gordon's brace of penalties underpinned the victory and he became the fifth player to score twice for Newcastle in a Champions League away game, following in the footsteps of three well-known forwards and a left-back.
There was also another goal for club record signing Nick Woltemade, although there were doubts about who got the final touch on Sandro Tonali's deflected effort.
The German striker has scored in his first two home Premier League appearances for Newcastle and could join an illustrious club this weekend if he can find the net again, with Les Ferdinand in 1995 and Shearer in 1996 the only players to score in their opening three at St James' Park.
'Lack of continuity has thrown the club into crisis'published at 21:54 BST 3 October
21:54 BST 3 October
Pat Riddell Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
This season should have been one of Nottingham Forest's best in modern history.
Qualification for Europe for the first time in 30 years, the best squad this century and everyone at the club pulling in the same direction.
Somehow, at least for now, that has all gone out of the window. Nuno Espirito Santo has departed, performances have been abject and last night the City Ground turned on new manager Ange Postecoglou after just six games.
Six games without a win make it the worst start for a new manager in 100 years. And yet it's very much classic Forest, a club that veers from success to self-made disaster like a learner driver who can't stay in lane.
For whatever reason, the much-heralded arrival of Edu seems to have destabilised the club. The global head of football only officially arrived in July but allegedly fell out with Nuno and, despite a successful transfer window, things have taken a turn for the worse ever since.
It might all be entirely coincidental but the lack of continuity at Forest has thrown the club into crisis. It's a perfect storm of events that mean nine games into the season, the Reds have only won one match.
That first game against Brentford - a 3-1 win - saw Nuno's team dominate possession and shots on goal. That is something Ange has also done but without the wins.
Since his appointment, the 13 goals conceded is more than any other Premier League side in all competitions.
Little wonder that some fans have already turned on him. Is it entirely of his making? Of course not. Do the players bear some responsibility? Naturally. Can he turn it around before it becomes even more toxic? With games against Newcastle, Chelsea, Porto, Bournemouth and Manchester United coming up, it's very hard to say.
But ask any fan and they'll tell you the same, it's never dull at Nottingham Forest.
Postecoglou on what they need to 'fix', job pressure and Newcastlepublished at 14:34 BST 3 October
14:34 BST 3 October
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He said Thursday's Europa League defeat by Midtjylland "is still pretty raw and fresh, but it's the reality of football".
They "have reviewed the game this morning and given feedback to the players." He denied they got a "rollicking", but said "you have to be honest" with them.
On what is going wrong: "We're not dealing with key moments in games very well. We're creating opportunities but not being ruthless enough. It's a combination of things we need to fix."
In response to whether he fears for the safety of his job: "I get it. It's a valid assumption in modern football as there's always a manager under pressure. It's part and parcel of the game. I don't think that way. It doesn't enter my head."
More on the pressure: "My responsibility is making sure the team progresses and if I start putting timelines to that, or wondering what is going to happen next week, then I am not performing the role I was given."
He said he "would be very surprised if anyone thought it would be an overnight" fix and "results to one side, there's plenty of evidence we have changed the fundamentals around how we do stuff".
On facing Newcastle: "It's a tough game. If we can go there and get a result then it would certainly lift everybody and get the belief we can turn our current situation around. It's always a cracking atmosphere. It's an exciting fixture too, so I am looking forward to it."
'The revolving door is in motion' - fans on Midtjylland defeatpublished at 10:40 BST 3 October
10:40 BST 3 October
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest's 3-2 defeat by Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday.
Here are some of your comments:
Steve: Forest looked and played like a team without leadership - and without Elliot Anderson, Ibrahim Sangare, Neco Williams, the result would have been much worse. Too many players are unsure what their roles are and as for the "snappy" football, I'm still waiting for it to happen. The revolving door is in motion - I wonder who the next unfortunate will be?
John: I thought we fielded the best available side, we did not make wholesale substitutions - but we still lost. Elimination from Europe and fighting Premier League relegation is becoming so real.
Mark: Ange Postecoglou needs to go as soon as possible. He has imposed his completely different "system" on the players and it is not working. I was shocked to see him standing on the touchline, hands in pockets, rarely interacting with the players on the pitch. And only one second-half substitution on 75 minutes! Too little, too late. The sad fact is that he is not a fit for this team, and he needs to go before a dismal start becomes a catastrophic, relegation-threatening season.
David: Why is this defeat a surprise? Dr Death has taken over - never his fault get used to it.
Andrew: We benefited so much last season from a consistent formation and approach, plus we were able to field a consistent line-up. There is no doubt that we have a stronger squad this season, but the solid consistency in everything we do has complete disappeared. We don't seem to know what our best XI is, how we want to play and our owner creates instability from the top with his ruthless approach. This was set to be an amazing season, but we will struggle now and another managerial change could even make that worse.
John: Last season, the defence was solid, players knew the system and even though our tactics were predictable, most teams couldn't stop us. This season it feels like everything is falling apart. The players look committed and there's no lack of effort, but there appears to be no structure and no direction in the tactics. The only philosophy that counts in football is win your games and we're not. Change sooner rather than later please.
Neil: I'm usually in favour of giving the new manager a chance but this feels different. The players don't seem to know what their role is and I can't see how we will improve, particularly in defence. The majority of fans knew Postecoglou was never the right man for the job but our ownership don't listen to us. Unfortunately, our ownership won't change so it has to be the manager, I'm afraid.
Martin: I really want Ange to succeed but if he can't get the players to put into practice his methods, his time will quickly run out. It is painful to watch at the moment, but it could all turn on the first good result. My hope is that it could happen at Newcastle on Sunday. Sadly, though, that's probably foolish optimism. We shall see.
Tuchel names his England squadpublished at 10:39 BST 3 October
10:39 BST 3 October
Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the upcoming international break.
The Three Lions face Wales in a friendly on 9 October, before a World Cup qualifier against Latvia on 14 October.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer is absent after suffering an injury, while there is no place for Manchester City's Phil Foden or Jack Grealish, who is on loan at Everton from City.
