Is Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest on TV? Latest team news, odds and quotes

A season that already promises so much for Newcastle United gets underway on Saturday afternoon when Nottingham Forest visit a packed-out St James Park.

Twelve months ago, Tyneside was filled with anxiety and concern as a rudderless Magpies kicked off their Premier League campaign with a disheartening display in a home defeat against West Ham United.

But the mood enveloping the club ahead of Saturday’s season-opener could hardly be more of a contrast with optimism and excitement providing the backdrop for the meeting with Steve Cooper’s side.

With the ink barely dry on Eddie Howe’s new deal and three new additions in the Magpies squad, there is genuine hope that United’s first full season under the control of a PIF-led consortium will lay the foundations for a brighter future at St James Park.

The mood is more than matched in the visitors camp as Forest’s trip to Tyneside marks the end of their 23-year absence from the Premier League.

With a raft of new signings included in their squad, the City Ground outfit will provide a stern test for Eddie Howe and his players and an intriguing contest lies in wait.

NewcastleWorld looks at all of the latest news ahead with the big kick-off now just hours away.

What is the latest team news ahead of the game?

There will be two new faces in the Magpies squad after England goalkeeper Nick Pope and Lille defender Sven Botman completed moves to the club this summer.

However, neither are guarenteed a place in Eddie Howe’s starting eleven on Saturday with the United manager set to make a number of big calls over two of his latest additions.

Pope is competing with fellow stopper Martin Dubravka for a place between the sticks and Howe must decide which centre-backs will start against Forest, with Botman, Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles all in contention.

The Magpies other summer signing, former loan star Matt Targett, should start at left-back after securing a permanent deal after impressing throughout the second half of last season.

Forest could hand competitive debuts to a whole host of summer signings, with reported Newcastle transfer targets Dean Henderson and Jesse Lingard among 13 new arrivals at the City Ground during the close-season.

What is being said ahead of the game?

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, Magpies manager Howe described the threat posed by newly-promoted Forest and praised the work undertaken by Steve Cooper.

He said: “They'll be a dangerous opponent and Steve deserves a huge amount of credit.

“You look at their league position from when he joined and the job that he did. Not only to miss out on automatic promotion but then to deal with that and come through the play-offs. Incredibly difficult thing to do.”

Cooper is relishing the challenge of the opening day trip to Newcastle and believes it will give Forest a quick indication of what life in the top tier is all about.

“It’s the perfect example of what the Premier League is,” he told Sky Sports.

“Newcastle, away, a big historic stadium, passionate support, the club is in a good place and I would imagine the city is as well.

“They feel like they are on to something, so we have to go there recognising that, but embracing it as well and being ready for it. We certainly aren’t fearing it.”

What happened the last time Newcastle faced Forest at St James Park?

It is just under five years since the two sides met on Tyneside and it was the visitors that took the honours in a Carabao Cup second round tie.

Aleksandr Mitrovic and Rolando Aarons netted for a United side managed by Rafa Benitez - but they were dumped out of the competition as a Jason Cummings brace and a Tyler Walker strike gave Forest a win by the odd goal in five.

The last league meeting on Tyneside came in December 2016 as two goals from Dwight Gayle and one from Matt Ritchie gave the Magpies a 3-1 win over Forest as Benitez’s side continued their successful push for promotion from the Championship.

What are the latest odds?

Newcastle are rated at 4/6 favourites to claim an opening day win with Bet365.

Forest are priced at 17/4 to secure all three points and the draw is offered at 14/5.

Is the game being broadcast live on television?

There is no live television coverage in the UK but BBC Newcastle will broadcast full live match commentary from 2pm.

There will be highlights on the first Match of the Day of the new season when that broadcasts live on BBC One at 10.20pm on Saturday night.