🏆 Fulham (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

by Olly Hawkins · Published 26 January 2024, 19:45

For all the talk of FFP, potential outgoings and ongoing talk of who could sign, I'm excited for our trip to Fulham this weekend.

It's been a long old two weeks without football and (hopefully) the break we needed to allow the players to recuperate, reset and go again ahead of a crucial few months of our season.

We showed flashes of brilliance against Man City but ultimately still looked a little leggy. After a winter break and return to normal training over the past week, I'm hopeful we'll be back to our best soon and also welcoming back a few key players.

We'll be fully focused on Fulham and the FA Cup. Exiting Europe and the Carabao Cup in heartbreaking fashion was a bitter pill to swallow last month and our Premier League form has taken a dip. What happens in the final few days of the January window is anyone's guess and it's been a huge blow to lose Joelinton until May, but this is a big chance to kick-start our season heading into a run of winnable fixtures in the league.

Speaking ahead of the game, Howe said - "It is a big moment in our season as the Sunderland game was, this is an important competition for us now, a new dynamic because of what’s gone before. We are desperate to get our best form back and progress.

"I hope, from what I've seen in training, that you will see a very energetic performance, and a very technical one because we have put a lot of work into that. We are determined to do well. I believe in this team."

Team news

Joelinton is out until May after undergoing thigh surgery this week and Jacob Murphy is back in contention after returning to training.

Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson and Joe Willock are getting closer and "showing good signs", but the game will come too soon for them, along with Elliot Anderson, Nick Pope, Matt Targett and the suspended Sandro Tonali.

Predicted XI: Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Miley – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

No real surprises and the same back four Howe has gone with in our opening two games of 2024. Trippier is clearly going nowhere and the front six picks itself based on injury issues. Murphy could become an option soon and has trained well, according to Howe, but we're likely to see him come off the bench, at best, on Saturday.

Prediction: Fulham 1-3 Newcastle

I fancy us to get the job done here. While we've been able to take some much-needed time off and return to a normal training routine, the hosts have had to play a two-legged semi final against Liverpool over the past fortnight.

Fulham are a decent side and tricky customers at Craven Cottage. Mix that with our recent away form and it's a tough tie that won't be plain sailing, I just back us to remind those wondering if our 'season is over' just how good we are with a big win.

HOWAY THE LADS!