Two Premier League teams wey dey bottom half of table dey knack head for St James’ Park dis Saturday afternoon as Newcastle United go host Fulham. Newcastle dey 14th with nine points, while Fulham just dey one place and one point behind dem for 15th.
Match preview
After eight Premier League games, na Newcastle don keep more clean sheets pass any oda team so far (five, na equal with Arsenal). Matches wey involve Magpies dey usually low on goals — only 14 goals in total for dem games this season (seven scored, seven conceded).
That defensive stability dey sweet Eddie Howe belle, but result na wetin matter — Newcastle never really balance well this season: two wins, three draws and three losses from eight games.
Both Newcastle two league wins come for home — one 1-0 over Wolves and another 2-0 over Nottingham Forest — but dem con lost 2-1 at Brighton weekend before the international break. Still, the Toon don try show face for Europe as dem knack Benfica 3-0 for St James’ Park for Champions League midweek: Anthony Gordon score first half, while Harvey Barnes bag double for second half.
Now dem go shift mind back to Premier League and dem sabi say Fulham beat dem 2-1 for the same ground last season. Newcastle never too dey lose two home league game against Fulham back-to-back — that last happen way back for 1950-51. So record dey for mind.
Fulham start September well, dem string small three-game winning run for all competitions, but after dat dem don suffer three straight Premier League defeats to Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Arsenal.
The Cottagers lose 1-0 to Arsenal last weekend and dem only register one shot on target that game. Head coach Marco Silva don tell im players make dem dey more “ruthless, aggressive enough and take right decisions” if dem wan change the story.
Fulham first-team problem na final third — only Burnley and Sunderland don register fewer shots on target than dem (23 so far), and 2.9 shots on target per game na the worst average dem don ever get for a top-flight season. Defense no too balance as well — dem keep only one clean sheet in last 17 league matches (that 1-0 win vs Leeds). Plus, Fulham don concede at least one goal in each of their last 10 meetings with Newcastle.
But small thing: after long period wey dem no fit beat Newcastle in league (between 2018-2024 dem get D2 L6), Fulham complete the league double over Newcastle last season. If dem fit win again, dem go string three wins in a row for first time since March 2017 — so motivation dey.
Form (recent)
Newcastle United Premier League form: D W D L W L
Newcastle United form (all competitions): W L W W L W
Fulham Premier League form: L W W L L L
Fulham form (all competitions): W W W L L L
Team News
Newcastle still dey miss Tino Livramento and Yoane Wissa (both knee), while Lewis Hall dey hamstring trouble. Sandro Tonali don extend him contract until 2029 but e dey “touch and go” with small unspecified problem — dem go monitor am. Joelinton recover from knock and come on as substitute against Benfica, so e suppose ready to start Saturday.
Fabian Schär fit come back to replace Malick Thiaw or Sven Botman for centre-back if needed. Harvey Barnes go dey push for starting place after him midweek brace, but competition dey from Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy for right wing. Nick Woltemade nearly guarantee lead striker spot — the boy don score four goals in five league outings; na proper start na im be that.
For Fulham, Joachim Andersen ruled out with hamstring injury from Arsenal game. Antonee Robinson (knee), Rodrigo Muniz (muscle) and Samuel Chukwueze (calf) also still dey on the treatment table. Harry Wilson touch small knock and dey doubt; Sasa Lukic don come back “in contention” after groin problem, and Tom Cairney shake off back niggle so both fit play.
With Andersen out, Calvin Bassey likely pair Jorge Cuenca at the heart of Fulham defense. Lukic fit link up with Sander Berge in midfield, while Alex Iwobi — one appearance away from 300 Premier League games — go feature for the wings, with either Kevin or Adama Traore helping feed Raul Jimenez up front.
Possible Lineups
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Lukic; Traore, King, Iwobi; Jimenez
Key Battles to watch
– Nick Woltemade vs Fulham backline: Woltemade dey on form and Newcastle go expect am to cause wahala for Fulham defenders with him height and movement.
– Harvey Barnes vs right flank: If Barnes start after him Benfica brace, Fulham go need to watch his running and crosses.
– Midfield grind: Lukic-Berge partnership fit give Fulham control but Newcastle pair of Tonali and Guimaraes go try spoil dat rhythm.
We say (Prediction)
Both teams never too consistent, so the match fit low-scoring and tactical. But when you look the numbers — Newcastle keep five clean sheets already and dem defense dey solid, while Fulham dey struggle to create chances and convert them — e hard to back Fulham for away win.
My pick: Newcastle United 2-0 Fulham. Newcastle go use home advantage plus defensive shape to frustrate Fulham small and snatch the win with one or two good finishes.
Small gist / Light yarn
If you dey St James’ Park, bring jacket — na wind and tackles dem go blow for there. And if you be Fulham fan, no worry too much; make you bring spirit and noise, sometimes away support dey change small things.
