Fulham vs Newcastle United

Fulham’s redemption mission after a scandalous week behind commences at Craven Cottage against formidable Premier League opposition Newcastle United.

Fulham have had a week to lick their wounds after conceding a 95th-minute equalizer in a 1-1 home draw against West Ham, which denied them a second win in four Premier League matches at the start of the new season (W1, D2, L1). As if that result wasn’t chastening enough, Marco Silva’s side slumped to a shock League Cup elimination to second-tier Preston North End during the week, making it three consecutive draws inside 90 minutes. Despite all those setbacks, Fulham could go three straight league matches unbeaten at Craven Cottage for the first time since February if they hold their ground against Newcastle. The recent history of this fixture doesn’t favor them, considering the Cottagers have lost the last five H2Hs on this ground by an aggregate score of 13-1.

Newcastle United’s dominant run at Craven Cottage instills more confidence within Eddie Howe’s camp following a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph at Wolverhampton last weekend. Determined to return to the Champions League following a disappointing seventh-place finish in 2023/24, the Magpies have enjoyed a four-game unbeaten league start (W3, D1) despite failing to keep a clean sheet in their last three top-flight matches. With this accounting for Newcastle’s best Premier League start since 1995/96, the visitors bid to post two consecutive away league wins for the first time since February with a fair amount of certainty. Growing defensive woes could throw a spanner in the works as Newcastle take this trip having managed just one shutout across their last 18 league travels.