Preview: Newcastle United vs Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups

St James' Park will play host to an intriguing EFL Cup affair on Wednesday evening, as Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Fulham lock horns in the quarter-finals.

Newcastle have beaten Bradford City and Tottenham Hotspur in the competition thus far, while Fulham have overcome Bristol City, Cambridge United and Wycombe Wanderers.

Match preview

Newcastle will enter Wednesday's match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in the Premier League, with the result leaving the Magpies down in 12th spot in the Premier League table, four points off fifth-placed Crystal Palace.

The loss to their biggest rivals was a major setback for Newcastle, and Eddie Howe's side have struggled for consistency in the opening months of the 2025-26 campaign.

The Magpies are the holders of the EFL Cup, having beaten Liverpool in the 2024-25 final, with the competition bringing their first domestic trophy since the 1954-55 FA Cup.

Newcastle recorded a 4-1 victory over Bradford City in their first match in this season's competition before beating Tottenham 2-0 last time out, and Howe's team will now be aiming to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the competition.

The Magpies have only ever faced Fulham on three previous occasions in the League Cup, with their last two meetings coming in 1981, and it was the London club that won 4-1 on aggregate over the two legs of the second-round fixture.

Fulham's only previous defeat to Newcastle in the League Cup came in the last-16 stage of the 1974-75 competition, but Marco Silva's side have already lost at St James' Park this season, going down 2-1 in the Premier League back in October.

The London club have had to win three matches to secure their spot in this round of the 2025-26 EFL Cup, beating Bristol City 2-0, Cambridge United 1-0 and Wycombe Wanderers on a penalty shootout, so it has been a bit of a struggle in this season's competition.

Fulham have never won the League Cup, so history can be created this season, and Silva would go down as a legendary figure if he could deliver the trophy.

The visitors will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 success over Burnley, with the result leaving them 13th in the Premier League table, two points behind Newcastle.

Fulham have actually scored more goals (23) than Newcastle (21) in the Premier League this season, and the capital outfit will be aiming to secure their spot in the final four of the League Cup at the expense of their Premier League rivals.

Newcastle United EFL Cup form:

Newcastle United form (all competitions):

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Fulham EFL Cup form:

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Fulham form (all competitions):

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Team News

Dan Burn (rib), Nick Pope (muscle), Kieran Trippier (hamstring), Sven Botman (back), William Osula (ankle) are out of the contest for Newcastle due to injury problems.

Burn suffered a broken rib and punctured lung during the clash with Sunderland at the weekend, and the England international is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Head coach Howe is expected to select a strong side on Wednesday, with Yoane Wissa in line to make his full debut for the club following substitute appearances against Burnley and Sunderland in the Premier League.

As for Fulham, Rodrigo Muniz (thigh) and Ryan Sessegnon (thigh) will miss the match due to injury problems, while the visitors will also be missing Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.

There are not expected to be any real surprises in the Fulham XI on Wednesday, with head coach Silva also set to name a strong side in the quarter-final affair.

Harry Wilson is the team's leading goalscorer this season with five, and the 28-year-old will feature in a forward area, while Raul Jimenez should lead the line, with the Mexican bidding to add to the three goals that he has scored this term.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Ramsdale; Livramento, Schar, Thiaw, Hall; Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Wissa, Barnes

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Leno; Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Castagne; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, King, Kevin; Jimenez

We say: Newcastle United 2-1 Fulham

Fulham are more than capable of picking up a huge win on Wednesday, as Newcastle have been inconsistent this season. That said, with home advantage, we are expecting the Magpies to secure their spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.