Predicted Newcastle team v Fulham | OneFootball

Looking at the Newcastle team v Fulham.

Eddie Howe and his players hoping to continue a new winning run after the victory at Southampton

That followed defeat to Bournemouth in the most recent home game, which came after a run of eight excellent wins and performances against Leicester, Brentford, Ipswich, Aston Villa, Man U, Spurs, Arsenal, Bromley and Wolves.

So as things stand now, Eddie Howe’s side seeing the last eleven matches bringing ten victories, one defeat and thirty goals scored, just the eight conceded.

A win today would see United guaranteed to move back into the Premier League top four, whilst if Forest lose at home to Brighton in the early kick-off, Newcastle would go third with a victory. Man City are away at Arsenal on Sunday, whilst Chelsea are home to West Ham on Monday night.

So, what can we expect the Newcastle team v Fulham to be?

As a starting point, this was the Newcastle team v Southampton:

Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

On Friday morning, Eddie Howe gave us some pointers as to fitness and availability.

He revealed Callum Wilson has now been joining in with some parts of the group training sessions but won’t be available today. Howe saying though that it is possible Wilson could be in the matchday squad for Arsenal on Wednesday.

As for Harvey Barnes, the Head Coach saying he is two or three weeks away from a potential return.

So it looks like, only Harvey Barnes, Jamaal Lascelles and Callum Wilson set to be missing for sure today.

Anyway, my take on all of this, my best guesstimate of the Newcastle team v Fulham:

Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

If that becomes the reality, it would mean no changes from the win over Southampton.

Barring injuries we don’t know about, I think only two places in the team are really up for any discussion.

I think at some point, Martin Dubravka will be replaced by Nick Pope, probably not today though.

Whilst in central defence, interesting to see what plays out.

I think the whole team did well overall against Southampton but maybe Fabian Schar not quite at his very best defensively, in the odd moment. However, he has been excellent this season and gives us so much extra as well in terms of initiating attacks, when passing the ball out of defence or carrying it forward.

Plus, whilst Sven Botman did well against the likes of Arsenal playing as the right-sided central defender, I can’t see any way Eddie Howe chooses him to play there ahead of Schar today.

So you have Dan Burn who has been excellent this season and the class of the available again Sven Botman. I think Eddie Howe sticks with Burn today but not impossible Botman plays. Either way, I think whichever of the pair doesn’t start today, will do so on Wednesday night.

As for the rest of the team, very difficult to see why Eddie Howe would even consider making any changes.

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)

Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle (5.45pm) BBC1 and BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)

Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 26 February – Liverpool v Newcastle (8.15pm) TNT Sports

(Weekend of Saturday 1 March –  NUFC will play in FA Cup fifth round if getting past Birmingham)

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 15 March – Newcastle v Crystal Palace (3pm)