Fulham (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
Premier League football returns to St James' Park this Sunday, seeing Eddie Howe's Mags take on a Fulham side who've won all five of their games since returning from the World Cup break.
Last weekend's FA Cup exit was a reality check for some, but may be seen by others as a blessing in disguise. It was a harsh reminder that areas of our squad remain worryingly weak and was followed by our big guns bouncing back in style on Tuesday night, as a 2-0 win over Leicester sent us into the Carabao Cup semi-finals; where a two-legged tie with Southampton awaits.
Dan Burn and Joelinton inspired us to victory with two second half strikes, although the latter could now miss out this weekend after a drink driving charge has left him in hot water. I expected better from the big man and hope he learns his lesson.
As for Fulham, they too are in superb form. Believe it or not, they'd move to just ONE point of Newcastle should they pull off a surprise win at St James' Park on Sunday, highlighting what a superb job Marco Silva is doing.
The good news, however, is that they took on Chelsea on Thursday night, leaving them with short turnaround, a few tired legs and without their suspended left-back for the trip up to Tyneside. Even if they arrived fully fit, refreshed and raring to go following the return of ex-Mag Aleksandar Mitrovic, you'd still have to fancy us.
After all, we've not conceded at home since Ivan Toney's scored from the spot in a 5-1 win over Brentford back in early October and would've made it five league wins on the spin at SJP had we been able to finish our dinner against Leeds.
With that frustrating afternoon in mind - not forgetting missed chances against Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester - I sincerely hope we've rediscovered our shooting boots.
Team news
It remains to be seen if Howe will select Joelinton for reasons previosuly stated, especially when Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak are fit-again options in attack.
Once again, Jonjo Shelvey (calf), Matt Targett (heel) and Emil Krafth (ACL) will miss out.
For the Cottagers, Aleksandar Mitrovic is available after serving a one-match ban, but left-back Antonee Robinson is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow of the season in Thursday's 2-1 win over Chelsea.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
I think Joelinton's punishment will be a place on the bench. After all, I think Howe would send out the wrong message by starting a player who was arrested by police for drink driving little over 72 hours before kick-off.
In his place, I think we'll see Allan Saint-Maximin. He should be ready to start now, as he's been able to train all week after missing last Saturday's FA Cup defeat through illness.
Not only that, we got a LOT of joy down the flanks at Craven Cottage earlier in the season, with Jacob Murphy having a field day down the left; even prior to their early red card that day.
I can't see any other changes elsewhere. Callum Wilson has been recovering from a nasty bug and didn't look himself on Tuesday, but Howe's pre-match comments on Friday told me he's not ready to start a Premier League game just yet.
Prediction
Fulham are no mugs this season. They're yet to concede in their three away games (in all competitions) since the World Cup break, have won four league games on the spin and arrive full of belief.
However, they'll be coming up against a highly-motivated, high-pressing and extremely organised Newcastle side who will be out to make up for dropped points against Leeds in our last league fixture at home.
Almiron to terrorise Fulham's left-side, Joe Willock to score and Newcastle to get back to winning ways in the Premier League!
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Fulham
