BBC pundit Chris Sutton has given his predictions for this weekend’s fixtures. He has Newcastle picking up a point in a 1-1 draw at Fulham on Saturday.
Here is Sutton’s take on the match:
Newcastle aren’t on a particularly good run and have only won once this season, but I like the way they play and they have deserved more from a couple of games they have drawn so far.
But the Magpies might be short up front here, with Alexander Isak definitely out, Callum Wilson on his way back from injury and Chris Wood picking up a knock on international duty.
So, I am going for a draw here. Being honest, Fulham have surprised me with the way they have started this season so well and they have a bit of confidence in defence as well as their attack. They clearly believe in the way they play.
Fulham have had a terrific start to the season with 3 wins and 11 points. Those successes have them 6th in the league table as they hope to avoid another immediate drop back to the Championship.
They depend heavily on former-Magpie Aleksandar Mitrovic who is joint second in the Premier League with 6 goals. He is coming off of international duty with Serbia having scored 4 times.
However, he picked up a knock over the weekend and was seen with his foot bandaged after Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Norway. Mitrovic may not be 100% at Craven Cottage on Saturday though will likely play.
Newcastle’s early part of the campaign has been defined by injuries. Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Bruno Guimaraes have missed multiple matches due to hamstring injuries. Bruno returned from Brazil early with a thigh problem.
The midfielder is expected to play at Fulham. Callum Wilson is also in line for his return while Saint-Maximin has an outside chance of featuring. As Sutton states, Alexander Isak has been ruled out for a couple of weeks.
A draw would not be a terrible result under the circumstances. Newcastle have been unlucky with just one win at the start of the campaign. We may not find out how good this team is until all of the stars are fit and playing.
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150 comments so far
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 29, 2022 at 5:52 PM
Comment #1ToonDarnSarf,
Howe explained quite well that they’d met and put their differences to one side, he obviously doesn’t hold grudges.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 29, 2022 at 5:54 PM
Comment #2I’m not sure why or how a paid WUM for Talksport gets a job with the BBC mind.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 29, 2022 at 5:59 PM
Comment #3Nijmegen – exactly. And that’s good enough for me. Fraser definitely didn’t act perfectly in his latter days at Bournemouth though.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 29, 2022 at 5:59 PM
Comment #4Who is the paid WUM now working for the BBC?
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:05 PM
Comment #5Chris Sutton ToonDownSarf
cyprus
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:11 PM
Comment #6Tough to predict this game, Monsieur Sutton, I agree.
And a bet will soon have to be placed, need to bolster that account after them Italian tennis players let me down.
Remember when you said Mitro is only good for the championship? Hmm.
Still, I was at the game when Andy Carroll missed a golden chance vs his former team. Subconsciously, he just couldn’t do it. (We beat Liverpool 2-0, Cisse brace I think).
Mitro, despite how we mistreated him, was (is?) an NUFC fan. So…
Still, I really rate their coach, he likes to play football and is fearless. Much like wor Eddie.
Result? 1 X or 2 :). Team in sixth Vs team in tenth, an even affair.
I WILL commit in a day or two, watch this space.
PS. Haven’t been on for a few days, noticed there are still petty arguments going on, so all’s as normal.
Bard, you had a poem I understand? Missed it my man, repost.
The Taco Taker
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:13 PM
Comment #7All you have to do to get that job is to be as “good” at predicting results as Lawro was! even I could do that.
Speaking of Lawro does anyone esle feel like he had an axe to grid with NUFC after his shor, iill fated job as our defensive coach under Keegan?
cyprus
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:13 PM
Comment #8Jail,
I did notice you tried to stir it up with that Rafa mention, you crafty fella 😉
Not sure how much mileage that one has these days, what with the Eddie love trumping the Rafa love 🙂
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:20 PM
Comment #9cyprus,
It was me that mentioned Rafa earlier not Jail? But that was in response to someone saying he done poorly in China.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:20 PM
Comment #10Lawro couldn’t grind a coffee beam!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:21 PM
Comment #11Bean
if a Puglet could spell
The Mighty Quinn
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:22 PM
Comment #12https://twitter.com/nufctrust/status/1575525588449710086?s=20&t=eOfAionsk2NILKgXxjzOAw
Some news about what’s happened to some of the money from the pledge. I know a few on here donated.
The Taco Taker
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:22 PM
Comment #13TDS, you are forcing me to drink when I think of Viana. I too thought he would be a great signing and recall thinking that we were better off with him than Ronaldo in their first season in the PL as Ronaldo was all tricks and no end product..how wrong I was.
I also thought Maric would be a great signing for us having watched him at France ’98.
I do get some right though too!
cyprus
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:22 PM
Comment #14Nij my good man, my apologies. I saw people saying you were jail in disguise, hence the mix up.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:24 PM
Comment #15Nijmegen – I find TalkSport pretty crap mostly these days so I don’t listen to it. Don’t know much about Chris Sutton as a pundit to be honest. But Lawro was awful so I doubt they could get much worse…
cyprus
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:26 PM
Comment #16Taco
Don’t you fret. Many on this blog rated Obertan above HBA.
Incredible huh.
Do you know how much we sold HBA for? Yep. We done some crazy things through the years. But all clubs have, to be fair.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:28 PM
Comment #17cyprus,
I’m sure Jail wore striped pyjamas, I’m more a feathered friend 😀
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:28 PM
Comment #18Taco – yeah, Maric was a decent signing we thought too. There were others I had high hopes for initially too like Boumsong (I know!), Bassedas, Domi, Marcelino (again, I know!!). Tommasson, and I’m sure many others than I can’t think of right now.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:30 PM
Comment #19The Mighty Quinn,
That’s good news.
cyprus
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:30 PM
Comment #20Nij
I noticed. You seem very convivial, though jail could be that too. On occasion 😉
The Taco Taker
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:30 PM
Comment #21Ahah – the first confirmation I have seen from Nijmegen stating he is not Raj/Jail. The previous radio silence did make me wonder, but I dont care either way, other than if Nijmegen is not Raj/Jail then there is still no Raj/Jail, which is a shame.
Have to say I would like to see Adam back, but not for a week or so, I got him in H2H this weekend and I have been having a shocker recently!
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:32 PM
Comment #22The Mighty Quinnrus,
I actually find the Rafa good Rafa bad debate quite tedious now, there’s no changing the minds of those that think the way they do and it’s so far past now it’s definitely put to bed, no doubt it will come up now and then though just as the Pardew one does.
valle
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:33 PM
Comment #23Talking of WUM’s, “Gabby” must surely take the prize.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:33 PM
Comment #24The Mighty Quinnrus, ehh??
That was supposed to be cyprus 😮
Assassins Inc
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:35 PM
Comment #25On signings for the club, did I think Hendricks was the wow factor, Nope.
Did I think Clark was the wow factor, nope.
Did I think Joe was the wow factor, yes after YouTube and then 100% no and now 200% yes.
At the time I don’t think most signings were what the fans wanted, Hendricks I did think could help us, sadly didn’t really work out, Clarke I was surprised with, I think he done some good for the club.
On Howe, he wasn’t or I would be surprised if anyone had him on the list of managers when PIF took over.
That list was The Who’s, Who in CL qualified managers.
But Eddie when unveiled by the club had my 100% support, he brought together the players, he fixed big Joe, he looks to have fix Maxi, he wanted Trips, he wanted Big Dan, he understood our defense was shite.
He has added to that defense, he has improved the middle with Bruno and now up top with Isak.
Has he cracked the code yet, nope, but I’m sure he will, I think he knows he is 3/4 players away from having the team he wants.
The Taco Taker
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:37 PM
Comment #26I look at Tomasson differently though, he was shafted here when Shearer got injured and was chucked in at the deep end. He was then playing out of position as a 9 or trying to form an understanding with Tino! With him I think it was just an unfortunate set of circumstances he was a success everywhere else he played.
I was actually living near Stuttgart (and supporting them as my local team) when he signed for them, was chuffed to watch the lad doing well.
The Taco Taker
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:45 PM
Comment #27Assassins, I was similar with Howe, not my first second or even third choice but as soon as he was announced I was 100% behind him. I think he has done a fantastic job, especially considering the complete shambles he walked into and I wouldnt swap him for anyone right now (except Pep)
valle
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:47 PM
Comment #28Taco
100% agree on Tomasson… He was never a striker before or after we bought him. I think he is still the highest scoring player for the Danish national team. He was an attacking midfielder, playing with the ball at his feet, facing goal. Not a striker/ targetman to kick balls into the box for. He scored almost all his goal running into the box and placing his shot with the inside.
Mund
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:48 PM
Comment #29WL
Sorry to hear about your mate. Hope he makes a full recovery. Keep us all posted pal.
Wor B
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:48 PM
Comment #30Heating log – day 29
Resolve starting to weaken slightly and I’ve taken to wandering into the garden for periods to warm up, but the gas boiler is still firmly in the off position.
The wife and bairn are threatening to leave home, so this unexpected bonus will spur me on into October!
😆
The Taco Taker
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:50 PM
Comment #31Cyprus, Obertan was one I called right, I have never been keen on Man Utd cast offs, so much so that I wouldn’t take any of their current squad.
cyprus
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:51 PM
Comment #32WorB
Heating?
I’ve just switched off the AC.
cyprus
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:53 PM
Comment #33Yes not sure if we’ve had any successful Man u players?
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:53 PM
Comment #34The Taco Taker,
Look at Luke De Jong, brought in as a belated Cabaye replacement (despite being different players altogether) and then thrown in to a team that had been given tat shop approval to down tools for the season as avoiding relegation was already achieved.
cyprus
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:56 PM
Comment #35You know who I’d take from there, though I still don’t see him as a Manchester player?
Ericksen. That’s the kind of genius you need to transform a team. As he has done.
cyprus
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:57 PM
Comment #36Goodnight all.
The Taco Taker
Sep 29, 2022 at 6:58 PM
Comment #37Valle, just googled and Tomasson is joint all time top goal scorer for Denmark along with Poul Nielsen.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 29, 2022 at 7:00 PM
Comment #38cyprus,
We can only assume that Eriksen was/is a Man U fan and couldn’t turn down the offer.
JohnJ
Sep 29, 2022 at 7:02 PM
Comment #39I think I’ve mentioned that Howe was not my first choice…. However he was on my list of desirable managers to lead NUFC…. I have to say I’m well pleased that he was the guy that came out top in the selection process
The Taco Taker
Sep 29, 2022 at 7:06 PM
Comment #40Nijmegen,
This is often a problem, playing people in the wrong position. I know many say that about Almiron now but in his case I don’t buy it as his stats for Paraguay are no different to here.
Cyprus,
Yeah Erickson is a good player and I haven’t yet tarred him with the Man Utd brush. Only decent signing from there I can think of is Gillespie and Gillespie far from perfect, but made a lot of friends with those 2 crosses for Tino.