Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two camps who will be looking to punch their respective EFL Cup semi-final spots on Wednesday night, Newcastle will welcome Fulham to St. James’ Park.
Newcastle
Starting with the hosts, suffering major heartbreak over the weekend as they fell to a 1-0 loss away at arch-rivals Sunderland, it appears that the pressure on Eddie Howe’s shoulders is once again starting to intensify. Still scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, Newcastle have continued to show some rather glaring inconsistencies this season. Mustering just a single win from any of their previous four appearances across all competitions, the former Bournemouth boss has also not seen his squad register consecutive victories since the end of October. However, dreaming of the chance to defend their EFL Cup crown this season, Newcastle will certainly be excited to make a return to St. James’ Park here. In fact, Howe’s side are unbeaten in all of their last eight showdowns on Tyneside (seven wins, one draw).
Newcastle Team News
Hospitalised over the weekend after sustaining a rib injury during Sunday’s 1-0 loss away at Sunderland, Newcastle will be without England international Dan Burn here. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, Howe’s side will be unable to call upon the likes of Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and former Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Making another cameo appearance off the bench, summer recruit and ex-Brentford striker Yoane Wissa should get some more minutes under his belt. Left as an unused substitute at the Stadium of Light, Brazilian international Joelinton should be handed a full recall in the middle of the park.
Fulham
As for the visitors, making a welcomed return to winning ways over the weekend as they clung to a thrilling 3-2 victory away at Burnley, Fulham know the importance of finding some crucial stability. Despite opening up the 2025/26 campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge, it has been suggested that Marco Silva is growing frustrated behind the scenes in west London. With it suggested that many around Craven Cottage are looking over their shoulder at a potential relegation scrap, Fulham have also recorded consecutive Premier League wins on just a single occasion since the middle of September. Likewise, falling to a 2-1 defeat when they last travelled to St. James’ Park back on October 25th, the former Everton boss should be bracing himself for another tricky test on Tyneside.
Fulham Team News
Not featuring since returning from November’s international break, Brazilian marksman Rodrigo Muniz remains on the sidelines with a hamstring issue. Despite still waiting to open his Fulham account, big-money summer recruit Kevin should be handed a full recall at St. James’ Park on Wednesday night.
Once again finding the net away at Burnley over the weekend and now registering seven goals in his previous eight appearances for club and country, the red-hot Harry Wilson could play a leading role in the final third. Skipper Tom Cairney could make a first start since the end of October.
Newcastle vs Fulham Key Factors to Consider
- When Newcastle welcome Fulham to St. James’ Park for a Premier League showdown on October 25th, the Magpies collected a 2-1 victory.
- Newcastle are unbeaten in all of their last eight matchups at St. James’ Park across all competitions (seven wins, one draw).
- Fulham have conceded nine goals in their last three meetings against Premier League opposition.
- The Magpies have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their last eight appearances across all competitions.
- Six of Fulham’s last seven matchups away from Craven Cottage have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Suffering major heartbreak away at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, Newcastle are desperately searching for an immediate response here. Unbeaten in all of their previous eight consecutive showdowns at St. James’ Park, Howe’s side know the importance of showing no signs of a hangover in midweek. However, failing to record a clean sheet in any of their last eight matchups across all competitions, we could be set for an enjoyable contest from Tyneside. It should also be highlighted, Fulham’s previous three Premier League appearances have produced 17 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
