Newcastle United (8-2-6) vs. Fulham (6-3-7)
Newcastle United vs. Fulham 12/16/23 – Newcastle United and Fulham’s EPL soccer matchup has gained much anticipation, as each side boasts impressive records: Newcastle has eight wins, two draws, and six losses against Fulham’s six wins, three draws, and seven losses respectively – promising an engaging contest on Saturday! Not only are points at stake here; paid prediction services will also need to pay attention as they evaluate each team’s performance to predict its fate accurately.
Newcastle United’s offensive line is spearheaded by their top scorers: Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson and Anthony Gordon. Isak leads with 7 goals from 10 starts; this ability, along with Wilson’s similar goal tally and Gordon’s knack for creating opportunities, forms a formidable trio that poses significant threats to Fulham’s defensive strategy and requires them to pay special attention when trying to exploit spaces in the final third.
Fulham are led by Willian, Raul Jimenez and Bobby De Cordova-Reid as its primary threats, who possess their own distinct brand of offensive power. Willian and Jimenez combine experience and skill into an unpredictable attacking front while De Cordova-Reid provides agility and the knack to find scoring opportunities. Newcastle must remain vigilant as Fulham use various attacking strategies; disrupting Fulham’s rhythm will be essential in stopping their rhythm from finding its stride within their attacking third.
Newcastle United vs. Fulham 12/16/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 10:00 AM ET |
| Where: | St. James’ Park |
| TV: | |
| Stream: |
Nick Pope GK vs. Bernd Leno GK
Newcastle’s Nick Pope has been having an excellent season for Newcastle so far. In his 14 starts, he has kept 6 clean sheets and made many critical saves at key moments to keep Newcastle competitive. His 41 saves and average of under 1 goal allowed per start demonstrates his quality between the posts. He will face one of his biggest challenges against a Fulham attack that has shown potency on the road. If Pope can maintain his high standard of keeping and shot stopping versus Fulham’s dynamic offense, it would go a long way toward securing a result for Newcastle.
Leno has struggled for Fulham this season and has been culpable for allowing soft goals. In 16 starts, he only has 6 clean sheets while conceding 23 goals for a subpar 1.4 goals against average. His 67 saves, while a decent number, have not made up for costly mistakes. With Newcastle boasting capable finishers, Leno must raise his game and show refinement off his line. He cannot afford poor decision making against Newcastle’s attackers, who have the talent to make Fulham pay dearly for any defensive errors. If Leno can correct some of his early season issues, he would give Fulham’s defense a boost as they try to contain Newcastle. But he has yet to show that level of consistency in his first year with the club.
Soccer Odds/Point Spread: Newcastle United -189, Total Odds: 2.75
The betting odds favor Newcastle United, reflected in their Moneyline of -189 and a point spread of -1 (+151). The total odds set at 2.75 with over at -112 and under at -108 indicate expectations of a moderately high-scoring game. These odds suggest confidence in Newcastle’s ability to secure a win, albeit in a closely contested match.
Newcastle United Betting Trends
Newcastle has gone just 1-2 in their last 5 overall but posted a 3-2 spread record over that span. This indicates they are competitive despite recent struggles. Newcastle is 2-1 against the spread in their last 3 home games as well. The trends show they hang tough at home.
Fulham Betting Trends
Fulham has struggled to a 1-3 record over their previous 5 games. However, they have gone 2-3 against the spread, covering in 2 of their last 3 away contests. So even as underdogs, Fulham has been feisty on the road.
Newcastle United vs. Fulham 12/16/23 Betting Picks
As we approach this intriguing matchup, the analysis leans slightly towards Newcastle United. Their strong offensive lineup, combined with Pope’s reliability as a goalkeeper, gives them an edge. However, Fulham’s ability to surprise, especially in away games, should not be underestimated.
In conclusion, while Newcastle appears to be the safer bet, particularly when considering their performance against the spread at home, the potential for a close match is high. The best EPL free picks might revolve around the point spread, with a cautious approach to the over/under given the mixed trends in scoring for both teams.
Free Pick and Prediction: Newcastle United 2, Fulham 1.