Newcastle United face Fulham at St James’ Park as both teams fight for a place in Europe next season.
Victory would see Newcastle reclaim third place in the table, whilst Fulham could go fifth with a win for at least a few hours.
Team News
Joelinton could be dropped from selection for Newcastle after he was charged with drink-driving on Thursday.
Emil Krafth (knee), Jonjo Shelvey (calf) and Matt Targett (heel) remain absent.
Fulham will be without Antonee Robinson who is suspended for this match, after he picked up his fifth booking of the season in Thursday’s win against Chelsea.
Aleksandar Mitrovic however returns from suspension and could face his former team, whilst Shane Duffy (illness) is also set to be in contention.
Neeskens Kebano (Achilles) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Fulham at St James’ Park on Sunday 15 January in a 2pm GMT kick-off, live on Sky Sports in UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Fulham (W3, D2).
- Fulham have won just one of their last seven visits to Newcastle (W1, D3, L3).
- Both teams have won and converted three penalties apiece into goals in 29 previous Premier League meetings.
- Eddie Howe’s Magpies have kept clean sheets in their last six home games in all competitions (W4, D2).
- Fulham have conceded just two goals since returning from the World Cup break (W4), which came in 2-1 home wins over Southampton and Chelsea respectively.
Prediction
Having been demoted to fourth following Manchester United’s win over Manchester City, Newcastle now have a chance to regain third with a win – and potentially reignite their title prospects if Arsenal lose elsewhere in the late kick-off.
I though would like to see a more clinical performance because although Newcastle comfortably outclassed Leicester in their midweek Carabao Cup Quarter-Final, they were incredibly wasteful amidst their attacking dominance.
Fulham meanwhile managed to contain an energetic Chelsea attack with a solid defensive performance complete with a clinical end product, minus Mitrovic who is now back fully rested to ideally cause mayhem against his former club if given the space and opportunities to do so.
All-out attack therefore is surely on the cards between these two teams who boast plenty of quality so a draw might be a fair bet, yet I do fancy Newcastle to continue their strong home form with no defeats on Tyneside this season if there is a winner here.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Fulham
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