Newcastle United will face a stern test of their top-four credentials when they host Fulham at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
Newcastle United will continue their UEFA Champions League dream when they welcome surprise package Fulham to St. James’ Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies are having a memorable season, but they will be eager to return to winning ways in league action in order to get their Champions League quest back on track following back-to-back scoreless draws against relegation-battlers Leeds United and league leaders Arsenal.
While they have remained third on the table, consecutive stalemates mean they are level on points with Manchester United heading into the gameweek and four points adrift of reigning champions Manchester City, although they have played one more game than the other top-four teams.
Thereafter, they got on the wrong end of a FA Cup giant killing after being eliminated only in the third round by League One side Sheffield Wednesday. It was too little, too late for the Toon when they summoned their star players off the bench to try and salvage the game. And Eddie Howe faced some backlash from the mainstream media for saving his big hitters.
Nevertheless, the former Bournemouth coach’s decision was justified, as his side will enter this game brimming with confidence after reaching the Carabao Cup semi-final with a 2-0 mauling of Leicester City in front of a jam-packed St. James’ Park on Tuesday. They will face Southampton in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup in a very winnable draw.
The Tynesiders will now turn their focus back to the Premier League as they square off with fellow overachievers Fulham at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon, where another victory could see Newcastle strengthen their grip on a top-four berth.
However, their Sunday’s opponent Fulham are a team full of confidence, having made it five victories on the trot across all competitions this past mid-week, and what a win that was, beating local rivals Chelsea by 2-1 at Craven Cottage, moving up to the dizzying heights of sixth in the Premier League table.
The Cottagers have been the feel-good story of this campaign. They have defied all expectations, are on course to break a long-standing curse, and are a team full of comeback stories, starting from manager Marco Silva to a whole host of previously written-off or under-appreciated players, including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Willian, Andreas Pereira, Tim Ream, and the list goes on.
Fulham may now have a European slot in the Premier League in sight, and while a place in the Champions League looks a stretch, they may continue to dream if they keep their stunning form going.
While Fulham have been in fine form, they were overpowered in the reverse fixture between these sides as they fell to a 4-1 loss at Craven Cottage. They were down to ten men early in that game, and while that changed the complexion of the encounter, Marco Silva’s men will be seeking retribution on their latest visit to St. James’ Park.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
📺 Eddie Howe spoke with the media this morning ahead of #NEWFUL on Sunday.
His press conference is available to watch in full on YouTube ⤵️
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 13, 2023
Eddie Howe will have to make do without the services of Emil Krafth and Matt Targett. But the latter is making good progress in his recovery from a foot injury. In addition, Jonjo Shelvey remains out with a calf injury and will not play any part in the fixture.
Howe could well stick with the same side that beat Leicester City to reach the Carabao Cup semi-final but could drop Joelinton after his recent arrest for drunk driving. Should the Brazilian be disciplined and relegated to the bench, Allan Saint-Maximin could get his chance to impress as a starter on the left flank.
Callum Wilson has gone six matches without scoring either side of the World Cup. So he i long overdue for a goal and will be eager to get on the scoresheet here. Miguel Almiron has been in fantastic form for Newcastle this season, leading the team in Premier League goals with nine.
The flying Paraguayan speedster scored a brace against Fulham in the reverse meeting and could pose a big threat to the opposition defenders with his buzzing movement, and turn of speed.
Howe is expected to stick with his standard 4-3-3 formation. Nick Pope will start in goal behind a back four of Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, and Dan Burn, the latter of whom scored a Roberto Carlos-Esque goal against Leicester.
A workhorse midfield trio of Joe Willock, Bruno Guimaraes, and Sean Longstaff will be deployed in the middle of the park as they look to suffocate their opponents. But they may find it difficult to dominate the proceedings against Fulham’s destructive duo of Palhinha and Reed. Guimaraes will act as the progressive playmaker, having managed a goal and an assist in his last five games.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Sean Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin
Fulham
Marco Silva will be unable to call upon the services of Neeskens Kebano due to injury. In addition, left-back Antonee Robinson is banned for accumulating five yellow cards. However, talismanic striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is available again after a ban.
Fulham did not miss Mitrovic much against Chelsea, with Willian and Carlos Vinicius stepping up. But Silva will be relieved to have his top scorer back on Sunday. The Serbian hitman, who previously represented Newcastle United, could come back to haunt his former team as he looks to become the first Fulham player to score in four consecutive Premier League games on the road.
Goalkeeper Bernd Leno has been a steal for Fulham, arriving in a deal worth just £3 million from Arsenal. His inspiring performance against Chelsea proved exactly why the German is certain to start against Newcastle.
💬 On Willian: “I didn’t have doubts about what he can do for us. We had a good feeling from him. The quality was always there, and he is a top, top player.”#NEWFUL pic.twitter.com/lpaEs2RSlV
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 13, 2023
He will be guarded by a back four of Kenny Tete, Tosin Adarabioyo, Tim Ream, and Layvin Kurzawa, who will get the chance to start, having impressed in the third round FA Cup victory over Hull City, where he scored the opener in the 2-0 victory.
Speaking of bargains of the season, Joao Palhinha, who signed for just €20 million from Sporting CP, has completely transformed Fulham’s midfield with his ball-winning tenacity, providing firm foundations in midfield for the Cottagers to build on. The Portuguese midfielder recently emerged on Liverpool’s radar. His midfield partner, Harrison Reed, falls into the same bracket.
Andreas Pereira, bought from Manchester United for up to £10 million, has been hugely efficient both in open play and from set plays, laying a beautiful cross for Vinicius’s goal against Chelsea. The former Flamengo playmaker will be flanked by Bobby De Cordova-Reid and an inspired Willian, who initially drew skepticism when his free transfer was confirmed on deadline day but is now a fan favourite.
Probable lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Kurzawa; Palhinha, Reed; De Cordova-Reid, Andreas Pereira, Willian; Mitrovic
Key Stats
- Newcastle United are looking to complete the league double over Fulham for the first time since 2007/08. The Magpies are also looking to make three straight wins against the Cottagers for the first time ever.
- Fulham are without a win in their last six Premier League visits to St. James’ Park (D3 L3) since a 1-0 victory in May 2009.
- Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League games (W8, D5), and should they prevail against Fulham, they will match their all-time Premier League record of going 14 games without tasting defeat between May and November 2011.
- Newcastle United have preserved a clean sheet in each of their past four Premier League games; the Magpies have never kept five in a row in their top-flight history.
- Fulham are one of Newcastle striker Callum Wilson’s favourite clubs to play against, having scored four goals in his four Premier League games against them.
Player to Watch
Nick Pope
Newcastle’s success this season has been built on solid foundations, surrendering the fewest (11) goals in the division. While he has been helped by the presence of steely, formidable outfield players in front of him, goalkeeper Nick Pope has played a leading role, keeping clean sheets in his last eight starts in all competitions.
While we very rarely keep goalkeepers in this section, the Englishman deserves a glorified mention as he has been a transformative signing for a side third in the division. Not only is he leading the race for the Golden Glove, he has also arguably been the best shot-stopper in the division.
Shout out to Nick Pope who hasn’t conceded a goal in 630 minutes of football. Unbelievable.
Nick Pope. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/jCOGu394oJ
— Toon Polls (@ToonPolls) January 10, 2023
A save percentage of 83.6% leaves him second in the division and third when compared on the PSxG (post-shot-expected goals) front, preventing around 3.3 goals. Renowned for his sweeping abilities, he stands in the top five percentile of goalkeepers for defensive actions outside the penalty area and average distance of interventions from the goal.
There were doubts about his ball-playing ability. But Pope is clearly improving on that aspect of his game. He has more touches than Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and better long-kick accuracy (90%). Furthermore, his missed launches aid Newcastle in initiating their counter-press. He will be desperate to preserve a clean sheet here to continue his fine form in between the sticks.
Prediction
Newcastle United 2-0 Fulham
The confidence is obviously very high in both camps at the moment. And they will want to carry that positive winning momentum into Sunday’s encounter, which would make it an entertaining contest at St. James’ Park.
Fulham have surprised a lot of people by punching well above their weight this season. But facing a relentless Newcastle side at their fortress might prove too hot to handle for the Cottagers, who, for all of their attacking endeavour, remain susceptible at the back. After all, the Magpies have still only lost one Premier League game this season and have yet to taste defeat at St. James Park.
Newcastle’s front foot, aerially sound backline, and aggressive mid-block will ensure cutting the supply to Aleksandar Mitrovic from wide areas, effectively denting Fulham’s attacking impetus. For those reasons, The Hard Tackle backs Eddie Howe’s men to keep the atmosphere rocking at St. James’ Park with a confident 2-0 win on Sunday.
