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Newcastle United – Fulham FC
January moves on and the third weekend in the new year is upon us. The Bundesliga returns from hibernation next week and in the 3rd division the ball is already rolling again this weekend. In the highest English division, however, the word winter break is completely unknown. The 20th matchday in the Premier League will be played this weekend. On Sunday afternoon, a top match is on the agenda, which only few would have expected to be a top match before the season. Fulham travel to Newcastle United in the far north.
Newcastle United are currently having an absolutely outstanding season under manager Eddi Howe. The Magpies, who were in a relegation battle for a long time last season, are playing for the Champion League places this season. Newcastle are currently third in the Premier League. During the week, the Magpies also won the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup 2-0 against Leicester City.
And Fulham are also currently exceeding the wildest hopes of all fans. The promoted team is sixth in the table after 19 games and has its sights firmly set on Europe. The Lilywhites have also won their last four Premier League games, including a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Thursday. Find out who will win the clash of surprise teams in our Newcastle vs Fulham betting tips.
Newcastle – Fulham Info:
– Date & Time: 15/01/2023, 15:00.
– Venue: St. James’ Park, Newcastle
– Competition: Premier League, Matchday 20
– TV coverage: Sky
Newcastle Form & Balance Check
Newcastle have been perennial relegation battlers in the Premier League for many years. However, with the help of new owners from Saudi Arabia, this changed last year. The new owners took over the club in October last year. After finishing the first half of last season in 19th place, the Magpies really took off in the second half. Newcastle finished third in the second-round table.
Newcastle took their form from last year’s second half into this season. Eddie’s team have been in the top 4 since matchday 13 and are not looking to move out of that position. The Magpies have only lost one game in the league so far and are unbeaten since the end of August. In the first Premier League game of the new year, Newcastle held league leaders Arsenal to a 0-0 draw. On Wednesday, the Magpies also won against Leicester in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. But before that, Newcastle were surprisingly eliminated in the FA Cup against third division side Sheffield Wednesday.
The Bulwark in the North
Miguel Almirón and Callum Wilson scored nine and six goals respectively in the league this season and are often described as the stars of the team. However, the real star of the team is the defence. Newcastle have conceded only eleven goals in 18 games. No team in the Premier League has a better defence than the team from the far north. Nick Pope, who moved to the Tyne from relegated Burnley before the season, is a safe backstop for the team. The 1.98 giant has already kept the nil for Newcastle ten times this season.
Newcastle facts & analysis
– Newcastle are currently third in the table.
– Last two 0-0s in a row in the league
– 13 consecutive games without defeat in the Premier League
Fulham form & balance check
Fulham FC in west London have spent the last few seasons bouncing back and forth between the Premier League and the Championship. The Lilywhites were either promoted or relegated for an incredible five seasons in a row. Last season, Fulham picked up an incredible 90 points in the Championship, scoring 106 goals in the process. The Londoners thus won the championship with aplomb.
However, Fulham will probably not have a sixth consecutive season with promotion or relegation. Coach Marco Silva’s team took the outstanding form from the Championship with them and is now also playing the Premier League dizzy. The Lilywhites are currently in sixth place in the Premier League and thus have a legitimate chance of participating in European business. On Thursday, Fulham won the SW6 derby against Chelsea with 2-1.
Mitro also on fire in the Premier League
Fulham have a lively team with a lot of attacking drive. The Lilywhites have already scored 32 goals so far this Premier League season. This makes Fulham the fifth best offensive team in the entire Premier League. An integral part of this attack is striker Aleksandar Mitrović. The Serbian scored 43 times in just 44 games in the past Championship season. This season, he is simply continuing his form in the Premier League. The 28-year-old has scored eleven goals in his first 15 games so far. Mitrović was absent for the game against Chelsea due to a yellow suspension. Against Newcastle, the Serbian should now score goal number twelve.
Fulham facts & analysis
– 6th on the table with 31 points.
– Four wins in a row in the Premier League
– Four defeats away from home already
Predicted line-up – last update on 15 January 2023
Newcastle play in a 4-3-3 under Eddie Howe, with Pope the sure back in goal and the experienced Trippier organising the defence. Emil Krafth, Matty Longstaff and Allan Saint-Maximin are missing through injury. Record buy Alexander Isak is fit again after his injury and could come off the bench.
Fulham will field a 4-2-3-1. German international keeper Bernd Leno will be in goal for the Londoners. In attack, Aleksandar Mitrović will return after his yellow suspension and work the opposing defence. Only Neeskens Kebano is missing Fulham through injury.
Newcastle – Fulham direct comparison & stats
Both teams have faced each other 56 times in competitive matches so far. The record is quite even, but Fulham won five games more than Newcastle. However, the first meeting this season was decided by Newcastle with 4:1.
– Both teams are separated by four points in the league.
– Newcastle have not lost any of their last 16 home games
– Fulham are on a four-match winning streak in the Premier League
– Fulham have scored in each of their last eight games
