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2025-12-17 - Newcastle United vs Fulham

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Newcastle United v Fulham
Football: English League Cup Quarter Final
Wednesday 17th December 2025 - Kick Off 8:15pm
This game is live on TV

Newcastle United

Fans would have left the Stadium of Light absolutely disgusted with the Newcastle United performance on Sunday and manager Eddie Howe was pretty disgusted himself. He has admitted that he is finding it difficult to manage a group who have been giving Eddie Howe a 'horrible feeling' with the inconsistent performances being produced.

The only positive for the manager is that Newcastle United get a very quick opportunity to bounce back and make amends to the supporters when playing in the League Cup Quarter Final. They ended a long wait for domestic silverware by winning this trophy last season and Newcastle United have also reached the League Cup Final in 2023.

Newcastle United had been unbeaten in 4 games in all competitions before the very disappointing 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, but they have struggled to string the wins together. The Magpies are hosting this League Cup Quarter Final and they have won 7 of the last 8 games played at St James' Park.

Nick Pope and Jamaal Lascelles are doubts, while Newcastle United are suffering a defensive crisis with the likes of Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth and Kieran Trippier set to miss out.

Fulham

An entertaining fixture ended with a 2-3 win for Fulham at Burnley on Saturday and that has just pushed them a little further away from the bottom three in the Premier League. This also means Marco Silva can help his squad focus on the domestic Cups and the manager has long hoped to guide Fulham to silverware with plenty of deep runs in the League Cup and FA Cup.

It has not been the most convincing of League Cup runs through to the Quarter Final with Fulham needing to battle for victory over lower League opponents in each of the last three Rounds. Narrow home wins over Bristol City and Cambridge United have been followed by a Penalty Shoot Out success at Wycombe Wanderers in the League Cup Fourth Round.

Fulham had lost consecutive fixtures against Manchester City and Crystal Palace before just about edging past Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday. That victory does mean Fulham have won consecutive away games in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley since losing to Everton and Fulham have lost just 1 of the last 4 away games in all competitions.

Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi have all departed to take part in the African Cup of Nations. Ryan Sessegnon is out with an injury and could miss the rest of the month.

Head to Head

These two teams met here at the end of October and Newcastle United were 2-1 winners thanks to an injury time winner.

Newcastle United have won 3 of the last 4 at St James' Park against Fulham, although they were beaten 1-2 here last season.

Prediction

You can just imagine that every Newcastle United fan arriving at St James' Park on Wednesday evening will be expecting the players to perform with a lot more passion and intensity than what was witnessed in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday.

Everyone associated with the club have made it clear that the players let the fans down, including Eddie Howe and Bruno Guimaraes, but the opportunity to reach the League Cup Semi Final is an opportunity to make amends.

Newcastle United have been a lot better at home than they have been on their travels this season and so you have to believe they will be on the front foot.

Defensive injuries have to be a real concern after Dan Burn became the latest to head to the sidelines.

That will mean Fulham can play with some confidence, even if three key players have departed for the African Cup of Nations. Back to back away wins means Fulham will perform with belief, while they will feel they gave as good as they got in the 2-1 defeat at this Stadium in October.

Both teams should produce the quality to give neutral fans a real reason to tune in and it would not be a surprise if both teams find the back of the net.

However, the edge has to be with the home team who have a bit of depth in the attacking areas that can make the difference.

Newcastle United have simply been a lot more convincing when playing in front of The Toon Army and that can show up here against a Fulham team that have been a little inconsistent away from Craven Cottage. The Magpies proved to have that edge in a 2-1 win in the Premier League a little under two months ago and the same scoreline looks most likely in this League Cup Quarter Final.