Newcastle United continue their Carabao Cup title defence in a Quarter-Final tie against Fulham.
Victory would see Newcastle reach the semi-finals for the third time in four seasons, whilst Fulham look to progress to the last four for the first time since they lost to eventual champions – Liverpool at that stage in 2023-24 season.
Team News
Dan Burn is ruled out for Newcastle after he suffered a rib injury during their Tyne-Wear Derby defeat at Sunderland.
Jamaal Lascelles is set to replace Burn after he resumed training this week following a recent muscle injury.
Nick Pope (groin), Emil Krafth (knee), Sven Botman (back), William Osula (ankle) and Kieran Trippier (hamstring) remain absent.
Fulham could welcome Jonah Kusi-Asare back after he missed their 3-2 Premier League victory at Burnley due to illness.
Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, so won’t be available until at least the New Year depending on their countries’ progression in the tournament.
Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Muniz both remain sidelined with hamstring injuries.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Fulham at St James’ Park on Wednesday 17 December at 8pm GMT, live on ITV1, ITVX and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won one of their three previous League Cup meetings against Fulham across two ties (W1, L2).
- Fulham have won just one of their two previous League Cup trips to Newcastle (W1, L1), having lost 3-0 in November 1974 then won 2-1 in October 1981.
- Jacob Murphy has scored in Newcastle’s last two home games against Fulham, albeit in the Premier League.
- Excluding penalty shootouts, Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 12 home League Cup ties against Premier League opposition within regulatory time (W9, D3).
- Excluding penalty shootouts, Fulham are winless in their last seven away trips against top-flight opposition in the League Cup (D2, L5).
Prediction
After their tame defeat at Sunderland in which they lacked much sparkle and firepower to trouble the Black Cats’ Robin Roefs, Newcastle really need to step their quality up a notch and be much sharper with a faster tempo if want to extend their title defence.
Fulham meanwhile are in hot attacking form which was evident in a confident front-footed victory at Burnley where they brought intensity and energy going forward, yet their marking at times did slip and was punished but they can come into this tie with confidence.
Newcastle though will have a vocal home crowd to feed off on top of motivation to produce a strong reaction to Sunday’s weak performance, but they will need to be more accurate in their passing which Fulham could look to isolate if they get their defensive tactics right.
Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze though will be big losses for the visitors such were their impact at Burnley, but this is a chance for those coming in to lay a marker in the short term, and I can see Newcastle capitalising on that if they can start well but this should be close.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Fulham
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