Fulham vs Newcastle United: Betting Odds & Prediction
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
Newcastle United look to restore hopes of a European finish as they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Both sides come into this off the back of poor midweek results in the Premier League. Kick off is set for 3pm local time.
Recent Form
Fulham
Despite a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest in midweek, Fulham’s season objective of staying in the division has been effectively achieved, with the Cottagers 17 points clear of the drop zone with seven games left.
Marco Silva’s side’s form this season has been very inconsistent, signified by four wins from their last eight games (D1, L3). However, Fulham have been significantly better at home, with just two league defeats at Craven Cottage since November 4th.
Silva’s men have picked up 28 points from their 15 home games this season, only bettered by the top five and their opponents Newcastle.
Rodrigo Muniz is clearly the form man for Fulham, picking up eight goals in as many games for the Cottagers since Raul Jiminez’s injury at the start of February, including an incredible bicycle kick to equalise against Sheffield United, and a double against Tottenham Hotspur.
Fulham, however, will be worried about their recent record against the Geordies, losing their last five in all competitions and being winless in eight, while Silva is winless in his last six against Newcastle, losing five of them.
Fulham made 3 substitutions in the 33rd minutes against Nottingham Forest 😳 pic.twitter.com/IFv4t1VBr7
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 3, 2024
Newcastle United
Newcastle, as has been the case throughout the entire season, have been ravaged with injuries yet again, having to field a shoestring defence in their 1-1 draw with Everton on Tuesday.
The Geordies know that they can’t make too many more slip-ups if they want European football at St. James’ Park next season, with just eight points splitting sixth and twelfth. Newcastle’s away record this season has been atrocious, winning just three times on the road in the league this season and picking up just eleven points.
Eddie Howe will be looking to continue both his and his side’s excellent records at Craven Cottage, with the ex-Bournemouth boss unbeaten at this ground as a manager, while Newcastle have won the last four meetings here, including January’s 2-0 victory in the FA Cup.
Howe will look towards Alexander Isak to get the Geordies over the line here, with the Swedish striker bagging three goals and an assist since the international break, taking his tally to 15 goals for the season.
Anthony Gordon will be a welcome return for Newcastle after serving his suspension for his red card against West Ham United, with the ex-Everton man looking to add to his 15 goal involvements this season.
Prediction
Although the history of this fixture suggests a comfortable Newcastle victory is on the horizon, the injury crisis in the Geordie backline is an issue that cannot be ignored. One league clean sheet since the last meeting with the Cottagers will have Silva’s men smelling blood, and with Muniz in the form of his life at the minute, its hard to see Fulham not taking advantage of a leaky Newcastle defence.
However, with the ruthlessness of Newcastle’s front line, a goal fest could be on show in West London.