Newcastle United will host Fulham at St. James’ Park on Saturday, looking to continue their push for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Newcastle United have picked up five wins from the last six matches in all competitions and they will be full of confidence vs Fulham on Saturday. The Magpies are fifth in the Premier League table, and they will look to move into the top four with a victory at home.
Fulham are 10th in the Premier League standings, and they have picked up just two wins from the last six league matches. It will be interesting to see if they can bounce back strongly and pull off an upset here.
The Cottagers have a dreadful record against Newcastle United despite the win over the Magpies in September. It remains to be seen whether Fulham can complete a league double of Eddie Howe’s men this season. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Newcastle United will be without Jamaal Lascelles due to a long-term knee injury. Meanwhile, Harvey Barnes has a thigh injury, and Callum Wilson will miss out due to a hamstring injury.
Newcastle United will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Fulham, with Martin Dubravka in goal. Valentino Livramento and Lewis Hall will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Lloyd Kelly will pair up with Fabian Schar at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelintion will start in the middle of the park. Tonali will look to win the ball back for his side and break up opposition attacks, Guimaraes and Joelinton will add creativity and drive to the side.
Alexander Isak will lead the line for Newcastle United vs Fulham, with Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Kelly, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Fulham
Fulham will be without Kenny Tete due to a knee injury, Harry Wilson due to an ankle injury, and Reiss Nelson is recovering from a thigh injury. The away side are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bernd Leno in goal.
Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Issa Diop will start alongside Joachim Andersen in the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Sasa Lukic will start alongside Andreas Pereira in the double pivot, and they will add defensive cover and creativity to the side. Emile Smith Rowe will reprise the no. 10 role, and he will look to create goalscoring chances for his teammates.
Adama Traore will start alongside Alex Iwobi on the flanks, and they will add pace and flair to the side. Finally, Raul Jimenez will lead the line for Fulham vs Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Andersen, Robinson; Lukic, Pereira; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez
Key Stats
- Newcastle United have won seven of their last eight matches in the Premier League.
- Fulham have picked up two wins from the last six league matches.
- Newcastle United have picked up five wins from the last six Premier League matches.
- Newcastle United have scored 14 goals in the last six outings in all competitions.
- Fulham have conceded nine goals in their last six outings in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Alexander Isak
The Swedish international is undoubtedly the best striker in the Premier League right now, and he has been exceptional for Newcastle this season. He is our key player to watch out for. He will look to cause all sorts of problems for the Fulham defence and get on the scoresheet here.
Newcastle United will need him to step up and deliver if they want to grind out all three points here. Isak is more than just a goal scorer, and he will look to help create opportunities for his teammates as well.
Prediction
Newcastle United 3-0 Fulham
Newcastle United will be the firm favourites heading into this contest vs Fulham, and they should be able to grind out all three points. The Magpies have been quite impressive going forward, and they should be able to find a way past a vulnerable Fulham defence.
The West London club have conceded nine goals in their last six outings, and they will struggle against the likes of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. A home win seems quite likely. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 victory for Eddie Howe and his charges.