Newcastle United meet Fulham in a huge encounter in the race for European qualification.
If Nottingham Forest lose to Brighton at lunchtime, victory will lift Newcastle up to third in the table until at least Sunday evening.
Fulham can climb to ninth with a win if Brighton lose at Forest.
Team News
Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 3-1 win at Southampton but Miguel Almiron has left the club to rejoin Atlanta United.
Harvey Barnes (thigh), Callum Wilson (hamstring) and Jamaal Lascelles (knee) remain absent.
Fulham will be without Harry Wilson until April due to a stress fracture in his metatarsal.
Kenny Tete (shin) and Reiss Nelson (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Fulham at St James’ Park on Saturday 1 February at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have lost one of their last nine Premier League meetings against Fulham (W6, D2, L1).
- Fulham have won one of their last five trips to Newcastle (W1, D2, L2).
- Newcastle have conceded just one goal in their last four home games against Fulham.
- Dan Burn has won more aerial battles than any other Newcastle player in the top-flight this season (78).
- Fulham have scored twice in each of their last four away matches (W2, D1, L1).
Prediction
With their loss to Bournemouth two weeks ago having clearly been a blip following a positive comeback win at Southampton last weekend despite inconsistent marking, Newcastle now need to continue that renewed momentum especially with cup games against Arsenal and Birmingham to come in the next week.
Fulham however can’t be underestimated if they can produce the clinical end product which was absent in their defeat to Manchester United, especially considering how dominant they were in that game but an unlucky deflection cost them a draw at minimum.
My instinct is that this will be close if Fulham can find their finishing touch but Newcastle should have the edge if they can continue their form, but crucially cut out their defensive switch-offs in marking otherwise the Cottagers will nick at least a draw.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Fulham
Result: Newcastle 1-2 Fulham
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