Newcastle United vs Fulham predictions: Magpies to dominate out-of-form Cottagers
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- Newcastle fifth in the Premier League and three points off third-placed Nottingham Forest
- Fulham's European hopes are fading as they are now seven points off the top seven
- Recommended bet: Newcastle United/Newcastle United - Half Time/Full Time
Both Newcastle United and Fulham entered this campaign with aspirations of playing European football next term.
The Magpies’ definition of that goal will have undoubtedly been reaching the Champions League and they are still in with a great shout of achieving their aim, as they sit fifth and level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City.
The Cottagers, meanwhile, have seen their European ambitions begin to fade away and they are now down to 10th, with their league position unlikely to improve following a trip to St James’ Park on Saturday.
Team news
Jamaal Lascelles and Harvey Barnes remain out for the hosts, but there could be a return for Callum Wilson, with the striker back in training and set to be assessed.
Reiss Nelson is back in training with the Cottagers and could feature if there are no further issues. His return could be timely, too, as fellow winger Harry Wilson has joined Kenny Tete on the sidelines.
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The stats
Newcastle have won seven of their last eight Premier League matches, while Fulham have won just three of their last 12 league games.
The Magpies have netted in the opening 45 minutes in 13 straight games, scoring 19 first-half goals during that run.
The Cottagers had lost six straight matches against the Magpies before beating Newcastle 3-1 in September.
Prediction
A shock 4-1 loss to Bournemouth in Newcastle’s last home game may leave the feeling that the Magpies are a touch short for this clash, but the Cherries’ subsequent 5-0 rout of third-placed Nottingham Forest suggests there is less shame in that result than first thought.
Most importantly, the Magpies bounced back immediately, beating Southampton 3-1 last weekend and led by Alexander Isak, who has 11 goals in his last eight appearances, Eddie Howe’s men will always be dangerous.
Saturday’s hosts have won 10 of their last 11 games in all competitions, beating Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa in that run and they should prove far too strong for Fulham, who have won just three of their last 12 Premier League matches.
The Cottagers’ poor run includes a defeat to West Ham and draws with Southampton and Ipswich, while it has also seen them slip down the table, with Marco Silva’s men likely to miss out on a European spot once again.
Confidence will be low in the Fulham camp – a look at a recent head-to-head record which reads six losses in the past seven meetings will not help – and Newcastle can take advantage to dominate from start to finish.
The Magpies have netted in the opening 45 minutes in 13 straight games, scoring 19 first-half goals during that run and can lead at half-time as well as full-time on Saturday.
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