Fresh off the back of a frustrating draw at home against Everton, Newcastle United will look to immediately return to winning ways when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday evening.
Ravaged by injuries galore, Newcastle United are limping towards the finishing line in the Premier League and need a win away to inconsistent Fulham to keep their slim hopes of European football alive.
The Magpies have become victims of their own success this season. Having qualified for the UEFA Champions League way ahead of schedule last season, some Toon faithful have been left feeling a sense of regression.
Despite missing a chunk of their big hitters to unusual injuries, Eddie Howe’s side are still very much in the hunt for European football as they find themselves in eighth place, just one point behind West Ham United with a game hand.
The Toon stumbled to a late draw versus Everton as the Toffees grabbed a late leveller from the spot last time out. Now Howe must rouse his players for a tricky trip to Fulham. With Spurs and Manchester United to come after this game, the English coach would prefer to take all the points at Craven Cottage.
Fulham made light work of beating Tottenham Hotspur in a 3-0 win at Craven Cottage last month, but since then have shipped six goals in a 3-3 draw at Sheffield United and then lost 3-1 at Nottingham Forest. They sit in the bottom half of the table in the 13th spot but cannot be completely ruled out of the race for Europe as they are only six points behind West Ham.
Team News & Tactics
Fulham
Fulham come into this in unique circumstances. Every single first-team player is available for selection for Marco Silva. In a time where many teams seem to be in constant injury crises, it is polar opposite for the hosts. But changes appear to be on the cards after Tuesday’s triple first-half change.
Indeed, all of Sasa Lukic, Alex Iwobi, and Harry Wilson were subbed off in the 33rd minute off the back disastrous performance. Nevertheless, Willian, Bobby Decordova-Reid, and Harrison Reed could return to the fray to freshen up things in the Cottagers’ starting lineup, while Kenny Tete will likely make way for Timothy Castagne at right-back too.
Rodrigo Muniz has come out of blue to become an important part of this Fulham side. The 22-year-old Brazilian has scored four goals in his last five games and has drawn comparisons to the likes of Edinson Cavani for his work-rate throughout a game and also for his athletic ability.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Adarbioyo, Bassey, Robinson; Palhinha, Reed; Willian, Pereria, Decordova-Reid; Muniz
Newcastle United
It is hard not to feel for Eddie Howe, with a horrendous injury list crippling his squad earlier in the campaign and the walking wounded mounting up again as they enter the last stretch of the season. The Magpies will remain without at least 11 players for the trip to Craven Cottage, including recent ACL victims Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles.
The suspended Sandro Tonali is now facing further charges over alleged betting offences from his first two months at Newcastle, and he remains on the lengthy absentee list with Valentino Livramento (ankle), Joelinton (thigh), Kieran Trippier (calf), Lewis Miley (back), Callum Wilson (chest), Nick Pope (shoulder), Miguel Almiron (knee), and Matt Targett (Achilles).
However, Howe has confirmed Lewis Hall is fine after being forced off in the second half against Everton with fatigue. The same goes for midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has brought some much-needed physicality and balance to a light-weight middle of the park.
Anthony Gordon had to sit out Newcastle’s midweek draw with Everton after a sending off in the thrilling win over West Ham United. He returns fresh for this game, and with Alexander Isak also in fine scoring form, the duo could cause some serious damage to this Fulham defence.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Krafth, Schär, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Anderson; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Key Stats
- Newcastle United have had an upper hand over Fulham in recent seasons, and they have gone eight games without defeat in this fixture.
- The last five clashes have ended in wins for the Magpies, including a 2-0 FA Cup triumph on their last visit to Craven Cottage.
- Having been unbeaten in all seven of their Premier League away games against London sides last season (W4 D3), Newcastle are winless in all four so far this term (D1 L3).
- Newcastle have lost nine of their 14 Premier League away games this season (W3 D2).
- Only Phil Foden (9) has scored more Premier League goals in 2024 than Fulham star Rodrigo Muniz (8).
Player to Watch
Anthony Gordon
In Gordon’s absence from the recent draw with Everton, Newcastle looked to lack ideas and incision. It also appeared as if they lacked a certain element of creativity. With the young England international back in the side, they will have that creativity back in abundance.
The 23-year-old has contributed nine goals and six assists this season, already surpassing his previous best. He’s something of a traditional wideman, as he loves to beat his opposite number and is always looking for his partner, Alexander Isak, via cutbacks and crosses.
The two have formed a deadly partnership and will be pivotal if the Geordies are to get anything out of this game and even Europe in the long run this season.
Prediction
Fulham 1-2 Newcastle United
It is hard to predict which Fulham side will turn up in this game. The Cottagers have played some great football at times this season. But their season seems to be winding down, with Marco Silva’s side well clear of the relegation zone but too far down the table to mount a realistic push for Europe.
Newcastle United’s struggles on the road see Fulham go into the game as slight favourites, although the visitors form has picked up recently, and they were perhaps unlucky not to claim all three points against Everton.
Keeping the players motivated is Silva’s toughest task, and they lost 3-1 at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. The Hard Tackle predicts the injury-stricken Magpies to come away with a narrow 2-1 victory and take home all three points from the Cottage this Saturday.
