Fulham keen to avoid four-game losing run in Newcastle trip.
After a comfortable victory over Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, the Magpies take on the Cottagers, hoping to bounce back to winning ways. Newcastle United vs. Fulham begins at 15:00 [GMT+1] on Saturday, October 25, at St. James’ Park.
The Magpies [WDLWL] will resume Premier League duties after sweeping Benfica aside in a 3-0 win on Tuesday night in the UEFA Champions League. “We haven't quite clicked into gear yet, hopefully that's the start of what we can be," Eddie Howe said after the comfortable victory over Jose Mourinho’s side. They host Fulham hoping to bounce back to winning ways after last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Brighton left them in 14th place, one point above Fulham. However, Newcastle’s form in the league has been inconsistent. The Magpies have won just two of their last 10 Premier League games (D3 L5), with both victories coming against sides currently sitting in the relegation zone (1-0 v Wolves, 2-0 v Nottingham Forest). While their offensive output has been modest, the Magpies’ defensive record is exemplary. They have kept more clean sheets than any other side in the league this season and have conceded fewer goals than any other team. That said, on a personal note, Nick Woltemade has been a standout performer, scoring four goals in his first five Premier League appearances, placing him alongside a select group of Newcastle players, including Loïc Rémy, Les Ferdinand, and Papiss Cissé, who reached five goals in six or fewer appearances for the club. Eddie Howe will be counting on the German forward once again on Saturday. Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga could team up with Woltemade at the attacking end of Newcastle’s 4—3—3 formation.
Fulham, who sit right below Newcastle in 15th place, have lost each of their last three Premier League matches [WWLLL]. Their most recent defeat came in the shape of last weekend’s narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal. Putting a stop to the rot will of course be the top priority on Saturday. However, defensively, Marco Silva’s side have very little to draw inspiration from. The Cottagers have kept only one clean sheet in their last 17 league games and have generated the fewest shots on target among most Premier League sides, with an average of just 2.9 per game. In addition, what’s even more concerning is that six of their eight goals this season have come from defensive errors rather than from their own creativity. Nevertheless, Fulham will throw everything at it to leapfrog the hosts. Raúl Jiménez is expected to lead Fulham’s attacking line when Silva comes up with the familiar 4—2—3—1 formation.