Gayle has work to do to chase down Wood in goalscoring duel

Dwight Gayle has been a crucial figure in Newcastle United’s bid to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking this season.

The 26-year-old cost the Magpies £10m to bring to St James’ Park last summer, and has so far managed to live up to the expectations of his lucrative price tag.

The former Crystal Palace forward has scored 21 goals in the Championship this term, firing Rafael Benitez’s men to the brink of reclaiming their spot in the top flight.

Although a return to the Premier League is the primary target of Gayle and his Newcastle teammates, the striker will also be determined to end as the campaign as the division’s top scorer.

Leeds United’s Chris Wood stands in his way, with the New Zealand international producing an inspired run of form in the second half of the season to boost the Whites’ promotion hopes.

Wood has scored 24 goals in his 36 appearances for Garry Monk’s men in the second tier, blowing away his previous best tally of 13 strikes achieved last season.

Battles like this one at the top of the Championship goalscoring charts is why football betting is huge in the UK, with little to choose between the two men in their chase for the prize as Gayle is backed at 9/5 to end the year as the top scorer in the division.

Gayle has ground to make up in the race, trailing the Leeds forward by three goals. The Newcastle striker has had his problems with injuries in the second half of the campaign, suffering two hamstring problems since the turn of the year, limiting his impact on the pitch.

The 26-year-old scored 18 goals in his first 20 appearances in the league for the Magpies, including hat-tricks against Norwich City and Birmingham City at St James’ Park.

He has found the net consistently this term, striking multiple times in matches on seven occasions, making it extremely possible that he could close the gap on the New Zealand international in one outing.

However, the difference in the form of the two players since the turn of the year has been staggering. Although Gayle has had his injury problems, he has only managed to score twice in his side’s victories over Brentford and Huddersfield Town.

Compare that with Wood, who has gone from strength-to-strength in the second half of the season. The 25-year-old has scored 13 goals since the beginning of January, averaging a strike a match for Monk’s men.

There are eight matches left in the campaign for both players in their quest for the award and to earn their respective teams’ promotion to the Premier League.

Gayle will be aiming to fire his way back to form in his side’s matches against struggling Wigan Athletic and Burton Albion before he and Wood meet in their duel at St James’ Park on Good Friday.

There will be a lot at stake in the clash between the two northern powerhouses and whichever striker comes on top in that contest could well sway the balance of the battle for promotion.

Newcastle have more talent to supply Gayle, but he needs to regaining his confidence and scoring touch to close the gap quickly to his rival at the top of the chart.