Things were looking grim for Newcastle United fans earlier this season but they entertain Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday with increased confidence ahead of the busy Christmas schedule.
The Magpies start the weekend sitting in 14th place in the Premier League and know a win will see them consolidate their position in the table. Newcastle cannot move any higher than 14th but could open a gap between the teams below them.
One of those teams below them in the table is Fulham and you cannot get any lower than the Cottagers, who are bottom of the league. A win could be enough to move them up one place but no more than that.
Newcastle United come into this match on the back of a good 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town. It was a big game for both clubs and Rafa Benitez was the happy manager thanks to a goal from Salomon Rondon in the 55th minute. That result means Newcastle have won four and drawn two of their last eight Premier League matches.
However, home form has not been particularly good and trends how Newcastle have lost seven of their last nine at St James’ Park this season. Newcastle have lost their last two home Premier League games to Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United, conceding 5 goals in the process.
Only once in their previous nine home Premier League matches have Newcastle managed to score more than a single goal.
Fulham make the long trip to Newcastle having lost 2-0 at home to West Ham last weekend. That result means Fulham have failed to win any of their last four Premier League games, losing to Chelsea and Manchester United plus picking up a point in a 1-1 draw at home with Leicester City.
Trends show Fulham are in very poor form and they have won only one of their last fourteen matches in the Premier League. Couple that with defeat in each of their last seven away league games plus a failure to keep a clean sheet in their last seventeen Premier League matches and it becomes clear Claudio Ranieri has a big problem to solve.
Not only do Fulham have problems at the back, they have managed to score just 1 goal across their last four away games, failing to find the back of the bet at Huddersfield, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Team news and Newcastle can welcome back DeAndre Yedlin following his ban and his return will see Javier Manquillo move across to left-back. Federico Fernandez is injured and Kenedy is rated as doubtful along with Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden.
Ryan Sessegnon is the major doubt for Fulham after the young winger missed out against West Ham last week with a groin injury. Maxime Le Marchand is injured but Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is available following suspension.
It is difficult to predict anything other than a win for Newcastle in this game. Fulham have been awful at the back this season and this is a great opportunity for Newcastle to get back to winning ways at home.