Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest are set to face off in a highly anticipated Premier League showdown at St James’ Park this Sunday, with both teams eager to rebound from recent setbacks.
The Magpies enter the match after a tough 4-0 defeat to Manchester City, while Forest narrowly lost 2-1 to Fulham in their last outing. Their previous meeting in November saw Newcastle claim a 3-1 victory at the City Ground, a result they’ll aim to replicate this weekend.
Ahead of the clash, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe heaped praise on Forest striker Chris Wood, who has been instrumental in his team’s campaign. The 33-year-old has delivered 18 league goals and two assists this season, earning recognition as one of the division’s standout performers.
Howe lauded Wood’s impact, describing him as “outstanding” and highlighting his contributions during his own stint at Newcastle. “Chris was crucial for us during a challenging period—he provided a physical presence and relieved pressure on the team,” said Howe. “Though his role evolved with new signings, I’m thrilled to see him excel. He’s a player of great character and professionalism.”
Currently sitting third in the table, Forest owe much of their success to Wood’s prolific form. However, the team has faced recent struggles on the road, suffering heavy defeats to Bournemouth (5-0) and Fulham. Despite these setbacks, Wood’s individual brilliance has shone through, including a match-winning hat-trick against Brighton and a goal in the loss to Fulham.
As both sides prepare for Sunday’s clash, all eyes will be on Wood to see if he can propel Forest to a crucial victory—or if Howe’s Newcastle can stifle their former star.
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