Next branch table for use with a branch predictor

A data processing system 2 is provided with branch prediction circuitry 20 for performing branch prediction operations. Next branch table circuitry 22 stores data identifying from a given branch instruction what will be the address of the next branch instruction to be encountered within the program flow. This next branch instruction address is supplied to the branch prediction circuitry 20 which uses it to form its prediction prior to that next branch instruction being identified as such by the instruction decoder 16. This permits branch prediction to commence earlier in the branch prediction circuitry 20 than would otherwise be the case.