Newcastle vs Fulham Prediction: Goals expected on Tyneside

A disastrous seven days for Newcastle United ended in an early European exit on Wednesday night, as the Magpies were beaten 2-1 by AC Milan. The previous two games also saw Eddie Howe's side suffer a 4-1 thrashing at Tottenham Hotspur and a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Everton.

Things don't get any easier for them on Saturday afternoon (KO, 15:00), as they host one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League, Fulham, at St. James' Park.

The Cottagers have won three of their last four matches, scoring 16 goals in the process - six more than they managed in the first 12 games of the season.

Team News

It's been a bad few games for Newcastle but they have at least been able to welcome back a couple of players from their lengthy injury list. Sean Longstaff has appeared as a substitute in their last two games, while Dan Burn made his return against Milan on Wednesday.

Burn's availability is particularly crucial heading into this weekend as Kieran Trippier is suspended, meaning Tino Livramento should line up in a more familiar right-back position with Burn on the left-hand side.

Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, Sven Botman, Harvey Barnes and Nick Pope are all still out, while Eddie Howe must choose three from four out of Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon to start in attack.

Wilson played the full 90 minutes on Wednesday after only recently returning from a month out injured, but the form and fitness of Isak has been worrying recently.

Fulham are expected to name the same team for a third game in a row, if Willian can shake off the injury that forced him off at half-time of Sunday's 5-0 thrashing of West Ham.

Harry Wilson is in line to start if the Brazilian doesn't pull through, while Adama Traore could return to the squad after missing the last four matches.

Centre-back Issa Diop remains injured, though.

Match Odds

The home side are 4/5 to win at St James' Park for the eighth time in the league this term, with a victory for the visitors priced at 16/5. The draw is available at 11/4.

Meanwhile, both teams to score can be found at 4/6, with over 2.5 goals at 8/11.

Newcastle or draw and both teams to score @ 21/20

The Magpies may have lost their last two Premier League games by a 7-1 aggregate, but their record at St James' Park is close to perfect. Liverpool (1-2) are the only English side who have prevented Howe's side from claiming maximum points this season, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United already seen off.

A lot of credit has to go to Marco Silva for Fulham's brilliant results recently, but there's one thing in common between all three of their victories since November 27 - they've all been at Craven Cottage.

Sure, the West London club took Liverpool the distance in a 4-3 defeat at Anfield, but they ultimately came away empty-handed. They've actually won just once away from home in the Premier League this term, a 1-0 win at Everton on the opening day.

Silva's side earned a creditable 2-2 draw at Arsenal in their next away day, but it's been pretty miserable going since, as they have collected just two points from 18 available, and conceded seven in their last two.

I'm reluctant to fully back Newcastle to win given the spate of injuries on Tyneside, but I think they have enough to at least claim a point. Newcastle or draw and both teams to score looks the smart play here, given Fulham's recent turnaround in fortunes in front of goal and the Toon's defensive deficiencies.

Over 3.5 goals @ 7/4

Fulham's last five matches have produced a total of 26 goals, which averages at over five per match, so this bet is quite conservative by their recent standards.

The Cottagers have also seen the over 3.5 goals bet land in half (4/8) of their Premier League away games.

Newcastle have also seen the goals fly in of late, though seven of the last eight have been against them in the league. They did beat Chelsea 4-1 in their last Premier League game at St James', though, and they've also thrashed Crystal Palace (4-0) and Aston Villa (5-1) at home this season.

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