As we approach the festive period, Newcastle United are not in a very good place right now. Losers of three of their past five, the only time they have looked dominant lately was when they thrashed Manchester United, a club in greater crisis than they are. Up next is a visit from Fulham FC, and this is a match that feels more like a plain old mid-table affair than it does the kind of clash that could have European qualification implication.
Wow! Say those words five times fast. Like the aforementioned United, Newcastle saw their European campaign come to a close in midweek.
Newcastle United vs Fulham FC FYIs
Kickoff: Sat. Dec. 16, 3pm, St. James Park, Newcastle, UK
Newcastle Preview Content: Starting XI Prediction Team News
PL Standing, Form: Fulham 10th 21 pts WWLWL Newcastle 7th, 26 pts LLWWL
Google Result Probability: Fulham 24% Draw 24% Newcastle 52%
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Both sides failed to even finish third in their group, which would have at least earned them a place in the consolation bracket known as the UEFA Europa League. Instead they both placed dead last in their respective groups. So now that they have no more continental competition, both sides can focus primarily on getting results in the league.
Here is a lineup that would seem to help serve that cause.
Newcastle United Starting 11 Prediction vs Fulham FC
Martin Dubravka; Kieran Trippier, Jamal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.