MY ACCOUNT
– Fulham are winless in their last six Premier League visits to St James’ Park
– Newcastle are unbeaten in their previous 13 league matches at home
– Recommended bet: Newcastle to win and both teams to score
Newcastle will look to extend their unbeaten record in the Premier League this season to 14 matches when they face fellow high-flyers Fulham at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon.
Eddie Howe’s side have defied expectations all season to move into the race for the top four, but they will likely be pushed by a Fulham side who have European ambitions of their own.
Marco Silva’s side are punching above their weight in sixth following their 2-1 win over Chelsea, and a win for the Cottagers would take them to within one point of Newcastle.
Team news
Howe will still be without Jonjo Shelvey, Emil Krafth and Matt Target due to injury, but he is unlikely to change his team after the 2-0 win over Leicester City in the EFL Cup in midweek.
Joelinton and Miguel Almiron are likely to retain their places in midfield, even though Allan Saint-Maximin is back fit and raring to go on the bench.
Thankfully for Newcastle, Alexander Isak is also fit again, although Howe has revealed he plans to manage the Sweden striker’s minutes after his return from injury.
Fulham will welcome back striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after he served a suspension against Chelsea last time out.
Unfortunately for Silva though, Antonee Robinson picked up his fifth booking of the season on Thursday, so he will be banned.
Paris Saint-Germain loanee Layvin Kurzawa is likely to fill the void left by Robinson.
The stats
Newcastle’s 13-match unbeaten run at home this season has allowed them to dream of a top-four finish, while they have also been able to keep things tight at the back during that time.
The Magpies have kept four clean sheets in a row at St James’ Park, with Everton, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Leeds United unable to find the back of the net.
Fulham have won three of their last four on their travels in the Premier League, scoring eight goals in the process.
Fulham are winless in their last six Premier League visits to St James’ Park, and Newcastle are looking to complete their first league double over the Cottagers since the 2007-08 campaign.
Prediction
Sunday’s clash promises to be a fascinating encounter, with two of the Premier League’s in-form teams going head-to-head.
Newcastle have already proven they can mix it with the best this season, holding Arsenal to a goalless draw at the start of the month, while they drew 3-3 against champions Manchester City in August.
Fulham will not pose the same threat, but Silva’s team have already demonstrated how hard they can be to break down on their travels.
The Cottagers have scored in all but one of their nine away games in the Premier League this season, and they have netted in eight matches on the spin away from Craven Cottage.
Both teams are expected to find the back of the net on Sunday, although Newcastle should come away with the victory as they look to enhance their top-four prospects.
A home success with both teams scoring is available at 9/5 with LiveScore Bet.
