Later today, Newcastle United will visit Fulham for the third time in 2024; will they win six straight at Craven Cottage?
For Newcastle United’s trip to Fulham later today, the experts have bad news.
After a thrilling comeback to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers, Eddie Howe’s team is now in third place. Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes both contributed late screams that overshadowed another lacklustre Toon show.
A cynic would argue that Newcastle’s good fortune is finally running out because their 2024–25 performances don’t seem to be sustainable. Those who, on the other hand, see things more optimistically could think that this Magpies team is only getting started.
But the pundits are not convinced. Ahead of Newcastle’s first trip to the capital this season, few are tipping them for success against opposition that have proven easy prey in recent seasons.
Paul Merson
“It’s unbelievable that Newcastle has amassed so many points this season,” he said in his SportsKeeda blog. “They have 10 points from four games, and they aren’t even playing well.
They may have been defeated by Southampton, Bournemouth, Wolves, and Tottenham, among others. “These teams all have three victories and a tie even though they might have all defeated Newcastle and fallen down to zero points.
These concerning performances will eventually begin to hurt Newcastle. If they lose at Craven Cottage to Fulham, it wouldn’t surprise me. This is where the Magpies’ luck may finally run out.
“Emile Smith Rowe has done really well since joining Fulham. He lost his way a bit at Arsenal with all the injuries and lack of playing time. If he keeps playing regularly, he will prove to be a brilliant signing for Fulham. He’s someone who chases lost causes and has got a footballing brain. All he has to do now is stay fit and he’ll soon be back in the England squad.”
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Newcastle
Chris Sutton
“Fulham won nine and lost eight of their 19 home Premier League games last season but I always fancied them to win at Craven Cottage,” he told BBC Sport. “They should have beaten West Ham there last weekend when they had chances to go further ahead before Danny Ings’ 95th-minute equaliser for the Hammers.
“Newcastle are still a bit of an unknown quantity for me because I can’t say I’ve been particularly impressed by them so far. Eventually, Eddie Howe’s side are going to come a cropper, but at the moment they are finding a way to win games, even if they are relying on moments of brilliance by individual players rather than playing well as a team.
“They are the side who are tricky to predict here because I was spot on with a 1-1 draw for Fulham last week. So, I am going for the same outcome, even though I fancy them to win this one more than I do Newcastle.”
Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Newcastle
Mark Lawrenson
“Fulham got done in the last minute with that goal from West Ham and Newcastle turned it round against Wolves,” he told Paddy Power “I just fancy Fulham here with home advantage, I don’t think that penalty loss to Preston in the Carabao Cup during the week will have any effect on them.”
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Newcastle
