Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Fulham, Newcastle United
Alfie Culshaw
Fulham host Newcastle in the Premier League this afternoon as both sides look to continue their positive starts to the new season.
The Cottagers have surprised many people with their strong start to the new campaign, sitting in 6th place.
Many tipped Marco Silva’s side to go down prior to the season starting, but with the help of Aleksandr Mitrovic’s excellent form, they’re now being considered as potential dark horses for a top half finish.
Mitrovic has netted six goals already, but was not on the scoresheet last time out as the West Londoners beat another newly promoted side, Nottingham Forest, 3-2 at the City Ground.
Advert
Meanwhile, Newcastle have also enjoyed a relatively successful start, accumulating eight points from their first seven games, putting them comfortably in mid-table.
However, the Magpies have been left frustrated in their last two outings, being held at St James’ Park by both Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
Despite this largely encouraging start, Eddie Howe’s side are winless since the opening day, so there will be pressure on them to claim all three points at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Here’s everything you need to know about Fulham vs Newcastle.
Fulham vs Newcastle will not be televised in the UK due to the 3pm fixture broadcast blackout.
However, fans will be able to find highlights of the game on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube Channel, or on Match of the Day at 22:30 tonight on BBC 1.
Fulham’s encounter with Newcastle kicks off at 3pm (BST) at Craven Cottage in West London.
Marco Silva will be without summer signing Joao Palhinha, who has been integral to their positive start, as the Portuguese midfielder faces a one match suspension after accumulating five yellow cards.
Left-back Antonee Robinson remains an absentee with an ankle issue, while Harry Wilson and Manor Solomon are sidelined with knee injuries.
Tom Cairney is expected to fill in for Palhinha in the double pivot alongside Harrison Reed, while Tim Ream will likely continue for the Cottagers at left-back in Robinson’s absence.
Eddie Howe has several injuries to contend with, and could be facing a crisis up front with all three senior strikers potentially unavailable.
Club-record signing Alexander Isak sustained a muscle injury on international duty with Sweden, while Chris Wood is out with a rib problem. Callum Wilson remains a doubt with a thigh injury.
Star players Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin join Wilson as doubts because of thigh injuries, while Jonjo Shelvey, Karl Darlow and Emil Krafth are all long-term absentees.