Fulham vs Newcastle: Preview, h2h as Iwobi eyes thin midfield

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi and compatriot Calvin Bassey are expected to feature for Fulham against Newcastle United on Saturday, with the visitors short of bodies in midfield.

Fulham are 15th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone, while Newcastle are 13th, four points clear of the bottom three. Kick-off at Craven Cottage is 16:00 WAT.

Both Nigerians are in the predicted Fulham line-up, with Iwobi in the attacking midfield band and Bassey at centre-back. Fulham drew 1-1 at Aston Villa on 31 October in their last league game.

Match facts

Form guide

Fulham’s last five league games read draw, defeat at Ipswich Town, wins over Hull City and Coventry City by 1-0, then the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. That is eight points from the last five.

Newcastle have lost three of their last five: 4-1 at Coventry City, 1-0 to Aston Villa and 1-0 to Everton on Monday. Their last away win was 2-0 at Crystal Palace last month.

Head-to-head

Fulham won the last meeting 2-0 at home in May, the final game of last season. Bassey was involved in Fulham’s last Cup meeting with Palace too, which we previewed last week.

Key battles: the Nigerian connection

Iwobi against a depleted Newcastle midfield

Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle has confirmed Joelinton is out. “Joelinton went out with an injury again, we need to make the final treatment plan for him and see how long he will be out,” Jaissle said on the club’s website.

Jacob Ramsey is suspended after his red card against Everton, and Matias Fernandez-Pardo is only just back in training after a virus. That should leave Iwobi, who drew level with Mohamed Salah on Premier League appearances last month, more room between the lines.

Bassey at the back

Bassey is expected to start at centre-back, and his future is in the news: Manchester United are reported to be interested while Fulham want to agree a new deal. A clean sheet against a patched-up Newcastle attack would suit everyone involved.

Analysis: Why the midfield decides this

Newcastle’s problems are concentrated in the middle of the pitch. If they drop deep and rely on a makeshift pairing, Fulham’s attacking midfielders, Iwobi among them, should get the ball between the lines more often than usual.

Fulham’s own form is not convincing, though. Two of their last five league games were draws and they have scored one goal or fewer in all five, so a narrow game is the likelier shape. A second goal for either side would probably decide it.

Verdict

Newcastle are short in midfield and Fulham’s last two wins were both by a single goal, so a narrow home win looks the most likely outcome, with Iwobi’s link play the difference.