🆚 Newcastle United
🏟 St James’ Park
🏆 Premier League
🗓 Saturday 25th October
⏰ 3pm

The opposition

It’s been a mixed bag of results for Newcastle in the Premier League so far, and they currently sit a point and a place above Fulham in the standings.

They have been strong on home soil, with both their wins coming at St James’, while they were also unfortunate to lose their other two home games by narrow margins to Liverpool and Arsenal.

Back in the Champions League this term, the Magpies reacted to a 2-1 loss to Barcelona with comprehensive wins over Union St Gilloise and Benfica, the latter coming in midweek.

Team news

⚫️ Sandro Tonali has been battling illness and is “touch and go” for the weekend, but Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Yoane Wissa are absent.

🤍 Joachim Andersen, Antonee Robinson and Rodrigo Muniz are all out, but Harry Wilson and Saša Lukić could make the squad.

Tickets

Tickets for this match have sold out, meaning there will be 1,700 Fulham fans in attendance on Tyneside.

Kits

Fulham will be in our green away strip.

Weather

☀️ A dry and sunny day is forecast, but temperatures will be around eight degrees at kick-off.

Coverage

FFCtv subscribers can listen to commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid. Overseas supporters can see who is showing the game in your region at this page.

Marco Silva believes Newcastle United can be very satisfied with how they replaced Alexander Isak in the summer.

The Magpies were loathed to lose their top scorer, but eventually agreed a record deal with Liverpool for his transfer, and turned to imposing German Nick Woltemade to fill his boots.

The 6’6 frontman has proved an immediate hit on Tyneside, finding the back of the net four times in his first five Premier League matches.

“Very good striker, very good striker,” Silva admitted. “Of course, they had, last three seasons, an unbelievable striker, too. It’s not something new for them. It is a good sign, for them as a football club.

“When they lose a great striker – because Liverpool spent that amount of money on him – that means recruitment, and they did it well.

“They went for a slightly different style, but to spend the money they spent on him and the impact that he has had straightaway, I think is very good.

“One is slightly different, probably not so aggressive in the space like Isak was, much more a player that is very good leading the play. And, of course, inside the box he can score.

“He showed already that inside the box he can score in many different ways. The game against Brighton is a good example, the way he was able to finish in that way and score in that way.

“He’s a very good one – the way sometimes he can be the extra midfielder and he’ll come to link their game and support for them to beat the first pressure, for example. And, of course, inside the box his profile is a very good one.”

Fulham will be without a number of First Teamers when we make the trip to Newcastle United on Saturday.

Antonee Robinson, Samuel Chukwueze and Rodrigo Muniz all missed the Arsenal defeat last week, and they have been joined in the treatment room by Joachim Andersen and Harry Wilson.

“Some good news, or fresh news. Others is not so good, unfortunately for us,” was Silva’s assessment of the squad fitness.

“Starting from the back, Kenny was already involved in the last game – not 100 per cent, but he was already on the bench. He has had a good week so far and he is going to be in contention for the game.

“Joachim Andersen, as we expected and as I mentioned after the match, has a muscle injury. It’s not so serious, but he is going to be out and not available for the Newcastle match, Antonee Robinson neither, as well. Chukwueze still out, Rodrigo out.

“About Harry Wilson, he got a knock with the national team, a small issue. He made the squad to play against Arsenal, but let’s see if he’s going to be ready or not.

“Yesterday he was not in the condition, today he didn’t train as well. Let’s see tomorrow how he reacts. Nothing really serious, but let’s see how he is going to be tomorrow, and after I will take a decision.”

In more positive news, Saša Lukić and Tom Cairney could be involved on Tyneside after recovering from the injuries picked up in the Bournemouth and Arsenal fixtures, respectively.

“Tom Cairney, nothing special [with the injury] as we expected, is going to be in contention. Saša Lukić is going to be in contention,” Silva confirmed. “The response from him has been very good.

“Top professional, top guy. He takes care of himself in a top way. He trained today again, let’s see how he’s going to be tomorrow.”