Newcastle set to win at Forest

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Championship leaders Newcastle look to extend their lead at the top of the table as they visit Nottingham Forest on Friday night.

Newcastle will kick-off this game just two points above second-place Brighton in the table, having suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against struggling Blackburn last time out in the second tier. The Magpies also exited the EFL Cup on Wednesday after losing on penalties at Hull.

However, prior to those recent outings, Rafa Benitez’s team had recorded eight consecutive wins in the Championship and looked set to run away with the league. That defeat against Blackburn halted their good run.

The Magpies away record is very strong this season. The north east side are unbeaten in their last nine away games in the Championship, recording eight wins, including victories in their last four league games on their travels. Their away record in the league is also decent, as Benitez’s team have kept clean sheets in 6 of their last 8 away Championship games.

Forest are currently 17th in the Championship table after a topsy-turvy league campaign so far this season. The Tricky Trees have hit a bit of form of late in the Championship, though, having recorded consecutive victories in the league.

Forest have achieved those wins despite having injury worries, with the likes of Matty Fryatt, Chris Cohen and Armand Traore currently sidelined with through injury.

The home side's form has not been great at the City Ground this season, as they have won just one of their last six outings on home soil in all competitions. It is also worth noting that the side from the Midlands have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 15 outings at the City Ground in all competitions.

Forebet predicts that Newcastle will return to winning ways in this clash, which would give the visitors a five-point lead at the top of the Championship table.