Chris Wood has had 28 shots on target across his 25 Premier League appearances this season (1.25 per 90), resulting in 18 goals.

He’s one of the most clinical strikers in the league as evidenced by the fact that he’s massively overachieving on his xG (10.5) and has managed to convert a huge 64% of his efforts on target into goals this season.

Nottingham Forest have been one of the best counter attacking sides in the league this campaign, Nuno Espírito Santo has set up his side to be compact at the back and then break with speed and directness. Wood should be able to continue to benefit from this set up, he managed to score a hat-trick in this fixture last season so St James’ Park should continue to be a happy hunting ground for the 33-year-old.

Gordon is very strong when it comes to 1v1 duels, his speed and sharpness make him a difficult task for any Premier League fullback and this is reflected in his fouls won numbers.

Gordon has won 53 fouls across his 24 Premier League appearances this season (2.46 per 90) which is a record that includes being fouled at least once in each of his last 5 Premier League games.

He’ll be up against Ola Aina who has committed 15 fouls across his 25 Premier League appearances this season (0.62 per 90) which is a record we are set to see rise here against the dynamism of Gordon, who can really test this Forest backline who have looked a little more uneasy in recent weeks.

Sels has been crucial to Nottingham Forest’s success this campaign, the keeper has been forced into making 83 saves across his 25 Premier League appearances (3.32 per 90) which is a record that reflects his importance in assisting Forest to their current position.

Sels was forced into making 3 saves in the initial meeting between these sides at the City Ground and can be tested regularly again here by a Newcastle side that average 4.6 shots on target per league game.

Sels’ recent saves record in the Premier League reads: 8, 6, 5, 1, 5, suggesting that the Forest keeper is having to bail his side out more regularly than usual in recent weeks if we compare to his average across the season on the whole. The anomaly in this run was against bottom placed side Southampton.

Both of these sides have seen BTTS in 3 of their last 5 matches across all competitions, neither enter this side with any notable form of consistency with each team losing 2 of their last 5.

BTTS landed in the initial meeting between these sides which saw Newcastle run out 3-1 winners at the City Ground, making Eddie Howe’s side one of only 2 teams to come out victorious at the City Ground this campaign.

Newcastle have seen 34 goals across their 12 home games this season (2.83 per game) whilst Nottingham Forest have seen 38 goals across their 13 away assignments in the English top flight this term (2.92 per game).

Morgan Gibbs-White has been at the heart of Nottingham Forest’s excellent campaign. The playmaker has registered 10 goal contributions across his 21 Premier League appearances this season (5 goals, 5 assists) and his underlying numbers show just how crucial he is to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Gibbs White has recorded a goal contribution in 3 of his last 5 Premier League games, suggesting that the 25-year-old enters this fixture with some momentum and confidence. He’s creating more chances per 90 than any other play in the Nottingham Forest squad this campaign (1.83).

Aina has committed 15 fouls across his 25 Premier League appearances this season (0.62 per 90), the wingback has been excellent in adapting his role to suit the needs of the team and is quite aggressive in his challenges, which is a trait that should see his foul rate rise here against Anthony Gordon.

Gordon is averaging 2.46 fouls won per 90 in the Premier League this season and has been brought down at least once in each of his last 5 Premier League games, suggesting that he will be a problem for Ola Aina here.

Aina contested 3 duels in the initial meeting and didn’t commit a foul. However, Gordon was on the opposite side to Aina in that particular encounter so he wasn’t as regularly tested as he will be here. This looks a good match-up for Gordon to win a a couple of fouls.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side aren’t particularly impressive in many attacking numbers, including possession (39.8% – 20th), expected goals (33.1 – 15th) and accurate passes per match (266.5 – 20th). These numbers suggest that the success Nottingham Forest have had isn’t sustainable over the course of an entire season and there are small signs of cracks showing in recent weeks, particularly in the corner department.

Newcastle are averaging 5.75 corners per game at St James’ Park this season, their tendency to take the game to the opposition on home turf allows Newcastle to win corners as a result of sustained attacking pressure. Nottingham Forest are averaging 4.15 corners per game in their away Premier League games this campaign.

The initial meeting between these sides saw Newcastle edge the corner count by 5-4, this gap between the sides should be more notable here on Newcastle’s home turf.

Neither of these sides’ card numbers this season particularly stand out but Nottingham Forest have collected 2 more cautions in the Premier League than Eddie Howe’s side this campaign (51-49).

The travelling side here committed 13 fouls in the initial meeting between the sides to Newcastle’s 6, giving a clear indication of what side is going to have to do more of the defensive work here. Both sides received 1 card in the game at the City Ground but Forest’s 13 fouls should have produced a few more cautions in truth.

Forest have received more cards than their opponents in 5 of their last 7 away league matches and can do so again here.