England Premier League
Saturday 16th December 2023
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: St. James' Park
Match Preview:
Is Newcastle’s season unravelling? Poor form has also spread into Europe and it’s Europe no more as Newcastle were beaten 2-1 at home by AC Milan in their final Champions League group game and were knocked out, in the end finishing in bottom place of their group. This news hasn’t helped matters given that the Magpies come into this weekend having lost their last 2. Every club can lose two games of course but it’s been the manner of the defeats. First they were outplayed against Everton, a side who have had plenty of their own problems this season and ran out 3-0 winners. Next up it was Tottenham who were in poor form and yet won 4-1, so that’s seven goals conceded in those two games and Eddie Howe’s side have slipped down to 7th place with 26 points. The Magpies find themselves seven points adrift of a top four finish, although they can complain about the amount of injuries they have had to suffer this season they may not get much sympathy with the budget they have and you get the sense the club owners cannot wait until the January transfer window opens.
Fulham have stunned everyone by scoring 10 goals in their last two games with fantastic 5-0 victories over Nottingham Forest and West Ham. Indeed the Cottagers are firing goals in lately and have scored 16 times in their last four games. Marco Silva’s side are in 10th place and would most probably stay here even with a win but it could start to cement their top 10 status. It should be noted of course that those two 5-0 wins were back to back home games and on the road the struggle has been evident with just 6 points won from a possible 24. In their last two away games they lost to Liverpool and Aston Villa which would have been expected results but they also conceded seven goals.
Team News:
Newcastle: Anthony Gordon will be assessed because of a tight hamstring but is being tipped to be fine. Kieran Trippier is suspended as he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend. Joseph Willock won’t be back for 3-4 weeks as he recovers from an Achilles injury. Javier Manquillo is likely to miss out again with his groin, Sven Botman is likely to miss out but could return next weekend. Elliot Anderson remains a doubt with his back injury, Harvey Barnes' return from a toe injury has been delayed a month. Nick Pope and Matt Targett are out long term and Sandro Tonali is suspended for the season.
Fulham: Matthew Dibley-Dias remains a major doubt to return from his hamstring injury, Adama Traore could be assessed but has a lack of match fitness and Tim Ream is out for four weeks due to a calf injury.
Newcastle vs Fulham Head to Head:
Last season Newcastle won this fixture 1-0.
Newcastle have won the last 3 meetings and have remained undefeated for the past five games.
It’s been over 6 years since Fulham last beat Newcastle away from home and that was in the Championship.
There is a 70% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
Newcastle vs Fulham Prediction:
The chance of Fulham pulling off a third straight 5-0 victory have to be slim here. A lot of credit should go to Marco Silva’s side though because even when they lose games like the recent one to Liverpool away from home they managed to score 3 goals. The team have looked fearless lately and that is a great sign that Silva is directing them in the right direction, it is a tough job at Fulham so congratulations to him. One has to wonder if the Cottagers can spring a surprise here? We say no and that Newcastle should get back to winning ways. Fulham’s away form has been poor even if their play has improved and at home Newcastle have been excellent so far with 7 wins from 8 games and they have beaten top quality here too. The injuries are a problem but at home they should have more than enough for the London team as they try to reignite their top four hopes once again. Callum Wilson is back for the home side and we expect he will be desperate to impress and get on the score sheet after injury.
Newcastle vs Fulham Betting Tips:
Newcastle to beat Fulham at 1.80
Anytime goalscorer: Callum Wilson at 2.25
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