Newcastle United are back in Premier League action this weekend, as we welcome a tricky opponent in Marco Silva’s Fulham to St James’ Park.

After our excellent performance midweek against  Benfica, we’ll be hoping to carry on that momentum for the rest of October, starting with a win on Saturday afternoon.

Fulham took all six points when we played them in the league last season, but a win today is imperative in this battle between 15th and 16th in the table.

Here’s how Eddie Howe has lined up the lads for today’s game, with some big calls in particular in midfield:

Confirmed Newcastle and Fulham XIs

Newcastle: Pope – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn – Miley, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon

Subs: Ramsdale, Schar, Tonali, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Elanga, Willock, Ramsey

Fulham XI: Leno – Tete, Diop, Bassey, Sessegnon – Berge, Lukic – Adama, Smith Rowe, Iwobi – Jimenez

Subs: Lecomte, Castagne, Amissah, Cuenca, Reed, Cairney, King, Kevin, Kusi-Asare

Just the one change from the Benfica clash, as Joelinton returns to the starting XI in the place of Jacob Ramsey. A big performance is needed from the Brazilian today, and we can anticipate a physical contest between Joelinton and Fulham’s Saša Lukić.

Sandro Tonali continues to battle a sickness bug, with Howe confirming in his pre-match press conference on Friday that he was ‘touch and go’ for today. Lewis Miley, who scored his first senior goal for us against today’s opponents back in 2023, has been given the nod in the Italian’s place.

There’s no sign of Lewis Hall on the bench today, having originally been feared to be out for several more weeks due to a previous injury setback, but Howe will be keen to ease the youngster back into the team.

Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes are the main threats off the bench, as Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon retain their starting spots either side of Nick Woltemade.

As for Fulham, it’s a much changed XI from the team that lost to Arsenal at Craven Cottage. Raul Jimenez still leads the line however having netted here in the visitors 2-1 win back in February.

Adama Traore will be a tough battle for Dan Burn out on the wing, so Gordon and Joelinton may need to track back often to counter the Spaniard’s notorious speed.

All three points are needed today, and things will start to look a lot healthier for us in the Premier a league. Howay the lads!