Before The Whistle: Fulham v Newcastle United
Written by Drew Heatley on 5th April 2024
Time for a little refocus.
And what better place to do that then at Craven Cottage – the scene of 28 of our 39 points this season. We’re wretched on the road this term, we know that, but we’re a different beast at CC. We’re also somewhat of a different beast against the bigger clubs at the moment, so Newcastle should provide fertile fodder for the Whites.
We’ve largely expected unchanged XIs of late, such as been our form, but after Tuesday night’s debacle at the City Ground – including a near-record early treble substitution – I’d not be surprised to see more than a few rotations.
Kenny Tete had a torrid time that night, and you’d expect Mr Consistent Timothy Castagne to slot back in against the Magpies. Wingers Iwobi and Wilson were hauled off early on, but I’d imagine that would be enough to jolt one or both back into form; I just can’t see Adama starting, but of course Willian could.
Very few of the boys covered themselves in glory, so Marco could make any number of changes against a Newcastle side that sits eighth in the Premier League table. That’s probably enough for Europe, but it’s a step down from their top four exploits of last season. We’ve had a tough time against Newcastle of late. They knocked us out of the FA Cup, and you have to go back to Ryan Sessegnon’s coming out party at St. James’ Park in 2017 for our last three points against them.
That feels like a lifetime ago. Time for a narrative shift. You Whites.
ℹ️ MATCH DETAILS
Kick-Off: Saturday, 3.00PM
Stadium: Craven Cottage
Competition: Premier League
TV Channel (UK): None
🚦 LEAGUE FORM
Fulham: ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ ⬜ ❌
Newcastle: ⬜ ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅ ⬜
⚖️ MATCH PROBABILITY
Fulham: 33.6%
Draw: 28.5%
Newcastle: 37.9%
🥊 MOST RECENT MATCHES
Jan 24: Fulham 0-2 Newcastle
Dec 23: Newcastle 3-0 Fulham
Jan 23: Newcastle 1-0 Fulham
Oct 22: Fulham 1-4 Newcastle
🎙 NEW PODCAST: Hollow Fulham Away
Discussion about Fulham’s concerning 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
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