Chris Sutton predicts what the score will be between Fulham and Newcastle United on Saturday

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Newcastle United are currently on a winning streak away to Fulham.

The Magpies have won their last five matches at Craven Cottage in all competitions, and will look to make it six on Saturday.

If that happens, Newcastle United will go top of the Premier League.

Their last visit to Craven Cottage ended in a 1-0 win for Newcastle. Bruno Guimaraes scored in the 81st minute, as they picked up a vital three points on the road during a season in which they were struggling away from home.

Eddie Howe‘s side currently look a bit better playing away, having picked up four points from their opening two away games.

While this fixture has been kind to the Magpies in recent years, Paul Merson thinks Newcastle will lose against Fulham.

Chris Sutton gives his verdict on Newcastle ahead of game against Fulham

As for Chris Sutton, he is not quite as pessimistic about Newcastle’s chances in West London as he predicts this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.

However, Sutton has told BBC Sport that Howe’s side will not win, admitting that he has not been impressed by the Magpies so far this season.

“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,” he wrote.

“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.”

Sutton’s prediction: Fulham 1 Newcastle 1

Not much confidence in Newcastle despite bright start

There does not appear to be a lot of confidence in Newcastle United getting a result against Fulham on Saturday.

That pretty much sums up how the Magpies have started the season. Howe’s side have been nowhere near their best, yet have found a way to put points on the board.

That has resulted in concern from the likes of Sutton and Merson, yet there appears to be no appreciation that the Magpies will get better. Surely that will happen, as the players become fitter and sharper.

It has been reported that Newcastle are trying to peak physically at the right time, while James Bunce’s arrival as performance director has resulted in a change to Howe’s training methods. It feels like that has contributed towards Newcastle’s slow start to the season, but it will certainly help in the long run.

Sooner or later, the Magpies are going to click into gear. Hopefully it is Saturday, at a ground where Newcastle have clicked into gear many times before in recent years.

The only major concern going into the game is the striker situation. Alexander Isak is a doubt to face Fulham due to a toe injury, and could miss out. If that proves to be the case, Anthony Gordon will lead the line for Newcastle.