Newcastle United vs Fulham. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Newcastle United FC will meet with Fulham FC in the English Premier League 17th round match at the St James’ Park Stadium. The fixture will take place on Saturday, December 16, beginning at 20:30 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Newcastle United News & Current Form: 

Newcastle are going through a very difficult part of the season, affected by a difficult calendar, and aggravated by numerous injuries. At the moment Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Jacob Murphy, Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes and a number of other players are in the infirmary. 

Also, midfielder Sandro Tonali and defender Kieran Trippier are not playing due to suspension. The already depleted defense in the upcoming meeting will do without the latter, who ranks second in the team in total rebounds and interceptions (41). 

With such global losses the Magpies had a hard time fighting on two fronts, and that’s why they fell apart. Over the last 3 meetings the wards of Eddie Howe beat only a dismal Manchester United FC (1:0).

In the last two rounds of the EPL they lost to Everton FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC – 0:3 and 1:4, respectively, because of which they rolled back to seventh place in the standings. During this period, the team conceded 7 goals with 2 scored.

Joelinton scored in the Champions League clash against AC Milan

In addition, in the week they lost to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League – 1:2, because of which they took the last line in Group F, ending their performance in European competitions, not even getting into the UEFA Europa League playoffs, just like the Red Devils.

It is worth noting that Newcastle are among the best teams in the league in terms of home games, ranking 3rd in this indicator. The team scored 21 points out of a possible 24, conceding only 4 goals in 8 duels. Since March, the team has lost only in two matches on its field in the championship against Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC.

In addition, the Black and Whites are in the top 5 in terms of performance, for 16 meetings the team has scored 33 goals with 21 conceded. Despite this, in recent matches Newcastle are experiencing big problems.

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Fulham News & Current Form: 

Fulham started the current season without much brilliance, losing points by the packs. In 12 starting rounds the Cottagers won only three victories, being stronger than Everton – 1:0, Luton Town FC – 1:0, Sheffield United FC – 3:1. Obviously, to judge the good form of Londoners on the success in games with opponents of this level – a matter of naivety and meaningless.

But at the end of November they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers FC – 3:2, then almost got points at Anfield, losing to Liverpool in a goal shootout – 3:4. After the frustrating away defeat, Fulham began to show even more productive soccer in the attacking phase. In the next two home matches, the team under Marco Silva left no chance to Nottingham Forest FC and West Ham United FC, winning big victories with the same score of 5:0. 

Raul Jimenez –  scorer of 3 goals in 2 games

During these 2 matches, forward Raul Jimenez showed himself perfectly, scoring 3 goals. By the way, on the account of the striker before these matches he only scored one goal. Three bright victories in the last four rounds allowed the Cottagers to climb to tenth place in the standings, they have 21 points.

Fulham is on fire: in each of the past 4 EPL matches, they have scored at least 3 times. This is the club’s first such streak since October of 1961. It will be extremely difficult to resist, even on their field, such a striking power of the Magpies. They have burned almost all the resources on the Champions League matches, and they approach this game with a lot of disqualifications, injuries and absolutely exhausted.    

Newcastle United form guide: W-D-W-L-L-L

Fulham form guide: L-L-W-L-W-W

Newcastle United vs Fulham Head-To-Head Record:

• December 19, 2020: Newcastle United 1 – 1 Fulham (Premier League);
• May 23, 2021: Fulham 0 – 2 Newcastle United (Premier League);
• October 1, 2022: Fulham 1 – 4 Newcastle United (Premier League);
• January 15, 2023: Newcastle United 1 – 0 Fulham (Premier League).

Newcastle United vs Fulham Predicted XI:

Newcastle United’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Lascelles, Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Hall.

Fulham’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Bassey, Robinson; Cairney, Palhinha; Iwobi, Pereira, Wilson; Jimenez.

Statistical preview of the match Newcastle United vs Fulham:

• Samuel Barrott has been appointed as the center referee. The referee has already served 18 games this season, showing an average of 3.33 Yellow Cards and also whistles 21.33 fouls per game. 
• Newcastle’s First XI average age is 27.9 years, Fulham’s First XI average age is 28.1 years.
• The total value of Newcastle United’s squad is 650 mln euros, while the total of Fulham is 304 mln euros.
• At least one team has failed to score in 4 of Newcastle’s 6 previous games in the Premier League.
• United have a 6-match winning streak on their field in the EPL.
• In the last 6 home games in the championship Eddie Howe’s wards have conceded only 1 goal.
• In 4 previous matches in the EPL, Fulham have won 3 times (there was still 1 defeat).
• Londoners scored 16 goals in the last 4 games in the championship. That is more than in the previous 12 games (10).
• Cottagers have a 7-match winless away series in the Premier League (3 draws and 4 defeats).  
• In games with Newcastle, the average number of corners awarded is 9.8, while Fulham have a lower average of 9.5.
• Newcastle collect an average of 2.2 yellow cards per game, while Fulham – 2.21. 

What has been said before the match:

Gaffer of the Magpies Eddie Howe about about getting knocked out of the long-awaited Champions League:

“It is going to be a big test of our resilience. I think there will be a negative narrative externally and we have to override that. Exiting Europe is a disappointment, but it doesn’t have to have an effect on us afterwards. That’s down to us, we need to respond.”

“We have analyzed it, but we have to move on very quickly to Fulham. The mood is good, there is some pain and anguish, but that can’t stay around in professional football. The turnaround is so quick and now the focus is on Fulham.”

“I would encourage the supporters to make the environment as best as they can for the players. We need the players playing with absolute freedom, with excitement, with joy – all that we have seen at St. James’ Park over my two years here. Their support has been absolutely incredible. I understand how they will be feeling but we need to inspire them tomorrow.”

Marco Silva, head coach of the Cottagers, about the upcoming opponent:

“Last evening they lost an important game, but they have been showing in the Champions League how they are really tough to play against. This season at home they have been tough as well. They are a very good side, a top side.”

“But we really have to embrace the challenge, we are confident enough to go to play. Last season in the game we conceded a late goal, but we did really well. We had a penalty that almost had us leading the score in the final stage of the game. We were really competitive, we matched them, and we want to do the same.”

“It’s going to be tougher, not easier, after the disappointing evening they had last night, but we have to go in the direction that we are planning and preparing our players, and to match them and to challenge the game.”

“Three points for us to fight for, we are very confident in ourselves as well. Of course, huge respect to Newcastle. It is always very good to play in that environment against a very good side, well managed as well, because it’s one of the best places to play football in this country.”

Newcastle United vs Fulham Prediction:

It’s clear to the naked eye that Eddie Howe and his boys are in a state of decline. Two consecutive heavy defeats in the English Premier League, as well as the elimination from the UCL, the group of death was beyond their teeth. On top of that, some key players have been injured, with the overall fatigue of the squad being conspicuous. It’s a tough stretch that doesn’t bode well for anything positive in the near future. 

Fulham, on the other hand, encounter significantly less problematics, concentrating on one tournament, which gives much more time and resources to prepare for each opponent. The Cottagers are on the upswing at the moment, having two straight home wins with an efficient 5-0 scoreline under the belt. Marco Silva and his boys now have a good chance of breaking the 6-match winless streak against the Magpies. 

However, Londoners play noticeably worse on the road – not a single away win after the first round. Moreover, Newcastle has prevailed in all 3 recent head-to-head outings.

At the same time, despite being stacked in a corner, the hosts are ready to pounce: the Black and Whites are showing good football at home, even with a limited squad. The last four matches at St James’ Park: defeat to AC Milan (1:2), wins over Manchester United (1:0), Chelsea (4:1) and Arsenal (1:0). 

Fulham demonstrated incredible productiveness – sixteen goals scored in just four last games. However, we should not count on the blitzkrieg by the Cottagers either: 7 of the last 9 matches of Newcastle United saw less than 2 goals scored in the first half. Only three goals have been conceded by the Magpies before the break in this stretch. In their face-to-face meetings, the first halves have seen a cumulative total of less than 1.5 in four cases out of the last six matches. In the current situation, Fulham will definitely fight, although there is little faith in their victory. 

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: First half total will be less than 1.5 – Yes; Newcastle will not lose – Yes.

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