Fulham vs. Newcastle – News and Probable Lineups

Fulham and Newcastle United meet at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, both battling for a top-half finish in the Premier League as they close out the season with 49 points apiece.

In a tightly contested table, both clubs find themselves just three points behind eighth-placed Chelsea, who face a tenth-placed Sunderland on the last day, essentially dousing any prospects of European football for the Cottagers and the Magpies.

Match overview

Marco Silva’s name has perhaps been overshadowed amid the managerial changes around the league, yet he is anticipated to lead Fulham in what could be his last game in charge during Premier League gameweek 38, as per various reports.

The Portuguese head coach has refrained from commenting on his future as his contract comes to an end, but it has been reported that he will take over at Benfica, concluding a five-year spell and 229 matches at Fulham.

Sadly for Silva, he has not been able to realize Fulham’s European aspirations during his tenure, largely due to a disappointing conclusion to the 2025-26 season, where they have managed to secure just one victory in their last six encounters, taking only one point from a potential nine.

Fulham’s struggles in the attacking third were evident once again in the 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where Antonee Robinson converted a penalty—marking only their second goal in six matches—resulting in the Cottagers sitting 13th in the Premier League, just two points shy of the top half.

At home, however, Fulham has enjoyed relative success in the current season, having registered 10 of their 14 Premier League victories at Craven Cottage, outpacing only a few giants like Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa in terms of home wins.

Newcastle, possessing a similar record to their hosts—14 wins, seven draws, and a disappointing 16 defeats in league fixtures—are currently placed two spots higher due to a better goal difference.

Nevertheless, European qualification has also evaded Eddie Howe’s squad, despite a strong finish to the season, amassing seven points from their last three outings after previously suffering four consecutive losses.

The Magpies virtually sealed West Ham United’s fate in the Championship with a 3-1 victory last weekend, despite Taty Castellanos’s sensational goal meaning that Howe’s men have not kept a clean sheet in the last eight matches.

Furthermore, Newcastle has only tasted victory in four of their 18 away fixtures this season, although both of their triumphs in 2026 have come against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

Howe previously orchestrated 2-1 wins over Fulham in both the league and EFL Cup this season—contributing to Newcastle’s eight wins from their last 10 matches against the Cottagers—yet their previous contest in 2024 fell in favor of Silva with a 3-1 scoreline.

Team News

Newcastle’s key player Sandro Tonali appeared to have played his last match of the season after suffering a hamstring injury against West Ham, but Howe has not entirely ruled him out for the trip to Craven Cottage.

If needed, Joe Willock is prepared to step in for Tonali, while Joelinton (thigh), Tino Livramento (groin), Fabian Schar (foot), Emil Krafth (knee), and Lewis Miley (calf) will not participate.

Anthony Gordon, who was an unused substitute for the third consecutive game last week, is not likely to force his way into the starting XI for what is expected to be his final appearance, despite Howe praising the winger’s performance since his return from injury.

In terms of players returning from fitness, Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon is back in training following a muscle setback and has a chance of being included, though probably as a substitute.

Key defender Joachim Andersen continues his suspension, while 18-year-old striker Jonah Kusi-Asare is dealing with a knee injury, but he wouldn’t have been in contention for the starting XI anyway.

With 10 goals to his name, winger Harry Wilson was relegated to the bench at Molineux after failing to score or assist in five straight Premier League matches, but he should return for what is likely to be his last game for Fulham.

Fulham probable starting XI:

Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Iwobi, Lukic; Wilson, King, Kevin; Jimenez

Newcastle United probable starting XI:

Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Willock; Barnes, Woltemade, Ramsey; Osula

Craven Cottage has generally been a favorable ground for Fulham this season, but their attacking output has significantly declined as the campaign has progressed, while Newcastle appear to be regaining their potency.

There are expectations that Howe’s squad could potentially find themselves within the top 10 by concluding the season with a victory, thereby marking a sorrowful finale to Silva’s tenure at Fulham.

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