Newcastle United vs Fulham. Sky Bet Championship.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance51,903.
Friday 10 March 2017 17:05, UK
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez will be without defender DeAndre Yedlin for Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash with Fulham.
The full-back missed the goalless draw at Reading in midweek with a thigh problem and is expected to be out for up to two weeks.
However, Benitez at least has options with Jesus Gamez starting at right-back at the Madejski Stadium and Vurnon Anita having played there in the 3-1 victory at Huddersfield last Saturday evening.
Leading scorer Dwight Gayle will hope for a return to the starting line-up after two appearances as a substitute following his return from a hamstring problem, but midfielders Isaac Hayden (ankle) and Rolando Aarons (knee) are still out.
Fulham will again be without winger Floyd Ayite. The Togo international has not featured since coming off during the second half of the 2-2 draw at Cardiff with what appeared to be a hamstring problem.
On-loan Chelsea midfielder Lucas Piazon continues his recovery from the broken jaw suffered in the same match. Greek defensive midfielder Thanos Petsos has been out with a calf problem.
Opta stats
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last four home league games against Fulham (W3 D1) since losing 1-0 in May 2009 under the management of Alan Shearer.
Each of the last four meetings between the sides has ended 1-0, with Fulham winning the most recent two and Newcastle winning the two prior to that in 2013.
The Magpies are unbeaten in their last 11 Championship games (W7 D4) - the second longest unbeaten run in the division this season (Brighton, 18 between September and January).
Fulham have won 22 points from losing positions in the Championship this season - at least seven more than any other side.
Gayle averages a goal every 87 minutes in the Championship this season, the best rate in the division (minimum 5 goals).
Fulham have had more shots than any other Championship side this season (562), while Newcastle have had the most shots on target (197).
Prutton's prediction
This should be a good game with the way that Fulham approach it. They have a lot of energy and pace in the wide areas, and in Tom Cairney have someone who showed his quality with the late goal against Leeds in midweek.
Newcastle have had a good 10 days with wins at Brighton and Huddersfield and then drawing Reading, but I think the points will be shared on Saturday.
David Prutton predicts: 2-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
