St James’ Park will stage an thrilling EFL Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night time as Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Fulham go head-to-head with a spot within the semi-finals on the road.
Newcastle head into the competition below a cloud after a slender 1–0 Premier League defeat to fierce rivals Sunderland within the Tyne-Put on derby.
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That end result leaves Eddie Howe’s Magpies sitting twelfth within the Premier League desk, 4 factors adrift of fifth-placed Crystal Palace, and 6 off the Champions League locations.
Consistency has been laborious to seek out for Newcastle within the opening months of the 2025/26 marketing campaign, making this cup conflict an essential alternative for a response.
The EFL Cup has been a welcome distraction for the Magpies.
Newcastle ended their 70-year anticipate a home trophy with an EFL Cup last win in opposition to Liverpool final season, and the reigning champions have proven their high quality within the competitors.
A commanding 4-1 win over Bradford Metropolis was adopted by a complete 2-0 success in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur, underlining their intent to defend the title.
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Nevertheless, they’d be foolish to underestimate the scale of their upcoming process.
Newcastle and Fulham have met solely thrice within the League Cup, with the latest encounters relationship again to 1981, when the London membership got here out on prime.
How Newcastle may line up
Howe will doubtless make as much as 5 modifications for tonight’s EFL Cup showdown in opposition to Fulham.
Nick Pope’s prolonged spell within the infirmary permits Aaron Ramsdale to retain his place between the sticks, however there might be a change to the backline.
Fabian Schar may step in for Dan Burn, .
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He’ll be joined within the again 4 by Tino Livramento, Malick Thiaw, and Lewis Corridor.
Joelinton ought to return to the XI instead of Sandro Tonali, lining up alongside captain Bruno Guimaraes and academy expertise Lewis Miley.
Howe may additionally identify a model new assault with Yoane Wissa lastly making his full debut since his final summer time.
He’ll doubtless be joined by Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes on the flanks.