Newcastle United look to bounce back from a three-match losing streak in a Premier League clash against Fulham at St James’ Park.
Victory would see Newcastle climb to sixth in the table, whilst Fulham can go ninth with a win.
Team News
Anthony Gordon is a doubt for Newcastle after he suffered a hamstring injury during their Champions League exit against AC Milan in midweek.
Kieran Trippier (suspension) will miss this match after he picked up his fifth booking of the league campaign in their league defeat at Tottenham last weekend.
Elliott Anderson (back), Matt Targett (hamstring), Sven Botman (knee), Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy (both shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Joe Willock (Achilles), Harvey Barnes (foot) and Javier Manquillo (groin) remain absent.
Fulham could be without Willian after he was substituted in their win over West Ham with a hamstring injury.
Issa Dio (foot) is unlikely to start but could be named on the substitutes bench whilst Tim Ream (calf) and Adama Traore (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Fulham at St James’ Park on Saturday 16 December at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are unbeaten in their last six league meetings against Fulham (W4, D2).
- Fulham have won one of their last eight league visits to Newcastle (W1, D3, L4).
- Newcastle’s Callum Wilson has scored in two of his last three appearances against Fulham (W2, D1).
- Fabian Schar has made more headed clearances than any other Newcastle player this season (30).
- Raul Jimenez is the only Fulham player to have hit the woodwork more than once this season, having rattled the woodwork on two occasions in 15 appearances.
Prediction
Wasteful end product summed up Newcastle’s Champions League exit against AC Milan because they played brilliantly on the front foot, especially in their intensity but just wasted too many chances whilst their energy levels simply dropped later into the game.
The attacking aspect of that performance though was a real positive after a woeful defeat at Tottenham last weekend, so I would like to see them show more of that quality here but their defence will need to be wary of fast-paced counter-attacks.
Fulham meanwhile seem to be finding form with 17 goals in their last five matches but their away form is still inconsistent, yet they looked comfortable against West Ham in a clinical home win after having grown into the game amidst early defending.
The Cottagers’ away form in this fixture is also poor but if there is a time to come to Newcastle then it’s now with the Magpies in a rut due to their injuries, but Newcastle are difficult to beat at home so a draw might well be a fair outcome if both teams play their high-level quality football.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Fulham
Result: Newcastl 3-0 Fulham
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