Jamie Carragher believes Newcastle United will be right in the mix for the top-four come the end of the season and believes a Champions League finish is more likely that Nottingham Forest being relegated. The Tricky Trees are only two points above the Premier League bottom three having signed 30 players since the start of the campaign.
The Forest hierarchy showed their faith in boss Steve Cooper by giving him a new deal in a tough period earlier this season. Since then, the Welsh manager has guided them away from the bottom three, but they're in the midst of a poor run of form.
Nottingham Forest have already beaten Liverpool and taken a point against Manchester City at the City Ground earlier this season, but key man Brennan Johnson is set to miss the clash with the Magpies this evening.
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United LIVE
Full Sky Sports transcript ahead of Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle from Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher:
Jamie Carragher: "What it will be about, will be games here [at the City Ground]. Their away record is really poor, but I think here it's been fantastic.
"I think they're unbeaten for a while, they've beaten Liverpool here, taken a point from Manchester City, so this will be a tough game tonight for Newcastle. You'd say Newcastle were favourites but this has been a real ground to pick up the points for Nottingham Forest to make sure that they stay in this League and I still think they've got a decent chance."
Gary Neville: "I was at the semi-final of the Carabao Cup game against Manchester United here a month or so ago and I was actually really worried about Nottingham Forest's defence. But, they do have quite a bit in attack. Do you think that attack can make up for the vulnerability at the back?"
JC: "Yeah, the one big blow might be [Brennan] Johnson being out tonight who I think has been absolutely fantastic. I think him and Morgan Gibbs-White, they're the two players who every time you watch them, can win them the game - certainly at home.
"I think that'll be a blow for them tonight. I think with him being out, if that's the case, I think I would make Newcastle favourites for them but there's still a lot of home games to go.
"Tonight feels like a really big one for Nottingham Forest because I think if they win before the international break everyone will have the belief they'll stay up. If they get beat, I think it'll be the exact opposite."
GN: "Newcastle United have been in the midst of a difficult run but they got a win last week against Wolves. You've said all the way through Newcastle will finish in the top-four, are you still confident in that?",
JC: "Yeah, I think they'll be in the mix right until the end. Liverpool are there now, Brighton are there, Spurs. I don't think Newcastle will fall away.
"I think this bad run that they've been on, what I would say, is I've still been impressed by the performances. I think sometimes when you see Liverpool lose a game of Tottenham lose a game, it's a really poor performance.
"I don't think that's the case with Newcastle. I did the game against Wolves and they were fantastic in the first-half. Playing with real energy and pace and got that goal towards the end which you need at this stage of the season.
"As I said, I think they'll be right in the mix and if they can pull that off I would like to see them do it if it's not Liverpool."
GN: "I'll just ask you one more question, what do you think is more likely, Nottingham Forest to go down or Newcastle to finish in the Champions League?"
JC: "Ooo it's a good question that... I think there's more chance of Newcastle finishing in the top-four."
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