It feels like a massive weekend in Newcastle’s pursuit of a European finish and a big chance for Eddie Howe’s Mags to capitalise.
It’s up to us to get the business done against Fulham – a team we’ve beaten twice already this season – but fixtures elsewhere could create a huge opportunity to steal a march in the race for 6th/7th.
6th place Man Utd (48pts) – currently four points ahead of Newcastle (44pts) – take on Liverpool on Sunday. 7th place West Ham (45pts) travel to 11th place Wolves (42pts), so someone in the hunt for a top-seven finish is going to drop points there.
9th place Brighton (43pts) – currently one point behind us – face title-chasing Arsenal at the Amex and Chelsea (43pts) travel to bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United after their 4-3 win over Man Utd left them just one point behind us with a game in hand.
Fulham have lost to Nottingham Forest and drew 3-3 at Sheffield United in their last two league games. They are usually strong at home, but a win at Craven Cottage could be huge given several of our Europe-chasing rivals could drop points this weekend.