We’re in the meat of the Carabao Cup now. Chelsea punched the first ticket to the semifinals on Tuesday with a 3-1 win. Four more teams are looking to secure their spots on Wednesday. Two such teams, Newcastle and Fulham, will square off at St. James’ Park in a decisive clash.
Newcastle are -145 Moneyline favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook for this one, with a draw available at +280. If you’re keen on a Fulham upset, they’re priced at +350. The game is slated to kick off at 3:15 p.m. ET.
Newcastle vs. Fulham Prediction, Pick
Newcastle is still finding its way after the ignominious end to the Alexander Isak era. Nick Woltemade, signed as his replacement, came with a lot of doubt. So far, he’s proving many of the doubters wrong. But the team’s standard has been set, and they’ve taken a step back in comparison. Last year showed the heights this team can reach as Newcastle won this very tournament, beating Liverpool 2-1 to claim their first Carabao Cup in club history.
To move closer to another trophy, they’ll need to take down a Fulham side on a great run of form. They’ve won three of their last five, but played tight in a 5-4 loss to Man City and a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace. At their best, Fulham can compete with anybody. Harry Wilson is the bellwether of this team and when he’s on, the whole unit clicks.
If Newcastle are to advance, they’ll need to put the clamps on Wilson. His excellent form allows Emile Smith-Rowe and Samuel Chukwueze to run wild, which is something no defense can afford. Provide consistent service to Raul Jimenez and he’s bound to make you pay. On top of that, fullback Antonee Robinson is back from his injury layoff and ready to pressure down the left flank once again. It’s a complicated formula to solve.
Luckily for Newcastle, their home form is excellent. The Magpies are 5-1-2 at home this season; conversely, Fulham is 2-1-5 on the road. I trust Newcastle to advance here, but Fulham will get a fair share of scoring chances.
