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Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.
Chris Sutton speaking ahead of Saturday afternoon’s game at Fulham.
Eddie Howe and his players knowing that victory at Craven Cottage would put Newcastle United top of the table.
A point ahead of Manchester City and three ahead of Arsenal, before those two meet on Sunday at the Etihad.
So is the BBC Sport man getting it right this time?
Chris Sutton talking to BBC Sport – 19 September 2024:
“Fulham won nine and lost eight of their 19 home Premier League games last season, but I always fancied them to win at Craven Cottage.
“They should have beaten West Ham there last weekend, when they had chances to go further ahead before Danny Ings’ 95th-minute equaliser for the Hammers.
“Newcastle are still a bit of an unknown quantity for me because I can’t say I’ve been particularly impressed by them so far.
“Eventually, Eddie Howe’s side are going to come a cropper, but at the moment they are finding a way to win games, even if they are relying on moments of brilliance by individual players rather than playing well as a team.
“They are the side who are tricky to predict here because I was spot on with a 1-1 draw for Fulham last week. So, I am going for the same outcome… even though I fancy them to win this one more than I do Newcastle.
“Prediction: Fulham 1 Newcastle 1”
So what to make of what the BBC Sport man has said?
Chris Sutton reckons Newcastle United are ‘going to come a cropper’, just a case of when, not if?
You can say that about any team, even Manchester City, that eventually they will lose, it happens even to the best.
So is it inevitable for Newcastle United to lose any time soon, on Saturday for example?
Fulham are a bit like Wolves I would say.
In terms of if you aspire to be in the top four and qualify for the Champions League, you need to get at least a draw when you play them away, whist wins on the road against these clubs can be the game-changer.
Speaking of winning away from home…
On their last five visits (in all competitions) to Craven Cottage, Newcastle United have won all five.
Whilst in the 16 away matches (in all competitions) since New Year’s Day, Newcastle United have won ten, drawn one and lost only five these past eight and a half months.
Last weekend the BBC Sport pundit was predicting the same scoreline, same result, when Newcastle United went to Wolves. They were two superb long range strikes that eventually won that match at Molineux but whilst Newcastle weren’t at their best, they still had more possession than the home side, as well as more shots, more shots on target and more corners.
Chris Sutton says it is only a question of time before Newcastle United ‘come a cropper’, whereas for me, it is instead just a question of time before United really click into gear and start playing well for the vast majority of many matches =, rather than just in shorter spells, such as was the case in the opening 20 minutes on Saturday and a similar period of time in the second half when the two goals were scored.
Newcastle United upcoming match schedule, confirmed to end of November:
Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3pm)
Tuesday 24 September 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle (7.45pm) Sky Sports+
Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)
Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports
Monday 25 November – Newcastle v West Ham (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle

 
