With European ambitions officially extinguished for both clubs, Fulham and Newcastle United head into Sunday’s Premier League finale at Craven Cottage with exactly 49 points apiece. While there is no grand prize on the line, the battle for a top-half finish, and potentially an emotional farewell for the home dugout, provides plenty of intrigue as the curtain comes down on the 2025/26 campaign.
The Stakes: Silva’s Swansong and the Fight for the Top 10
For Fulham, Sunday afternoon could mark the end of an era. Manager Marco Silva is out of contract this summer and has continuously swerved questions about his future amid heavy reports linking him to the vacant Benfica job.
If this is indeed the Portuguese manager’s final game after five years in West London, he will be desperate to sign off on a high. The Cottagers have limped towards the finish line, winning just one of their last six matches and relying on an Antonee Robinson penalty to scrape a 1-1 draw against bottom-of-the-table Wolves last weekend.
However, home has been where the heart is for Fulham. They have won 10 Premier League games at Craven Cottage this season—their highest tally in a top-flight campaign since 2011/12. A victory on Sunday is the only way Fulham can leapfrog Newcastle, and it could see them snatch a 10th-place finish if Sunderland drops points against Chelsea.
For Newcastle United, the campaign has been equally frustrating, but Eddie Howe’s men have found late momentum. The Magpies have taken seven points from their last three matches, including a 3-1 victory over West Ham last weekend.
Newcastle’s Achilles heel in 2026 has been their away form. They have won just two of their eight Premier League road trips this calendar year, though both of those victories notably came in London (against Tottenham and Chelsea). Howe’s side has also been extremely porous at the back, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight matches.
Key Players to Watch
- Fulham’s Creator-in-Chief: Harry Wilson has been the undisputed driving force for Fulham this season. The Welshman leads the club in both goals (10) and assists (6). With his contract also expiring at the end of June, Wilson will be eager to add to his tally in what could be his final appearance for the Cottagers.
- Newcastle’s Rising Star: William Osula has caught fire at the perfect time. The 22-year-old striker scored a brace against West Ham last time out and now boasts an impressive six goals in his last eight Premier League appearances. He will be hungry to exploit a Fulham defence missing its key anchor.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Fulham
The hosts will have to navigate the final day without their defensive lynchpin, Joachim Andersen, who is serving a suspension. Teenage striker Jonah Kusi-Asare (knee) is sidelined, while Ryan Sessegnon has returned to training following a muscular issue but is unlikely to be risked from the start.
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe’s treatment room remains crowded. Fabian Schär (ankle), Valentino Livramento (leg), Joelinton (thigh), Emil Krafth (knee), and Lewis Miley (calf) are all unavailable. Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali came off with a hamstring complaint against West Ham and remains a doubt; Joe Willock is on standby to take his place in the engine room.
Team | Predicted Starting XI |
Fulham | Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukić, Iwobi; Bobb, King, Kevin; Muniz |
Newcastle United | Pope; Burn, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Guimarães, Willock; Barnes, Woltemade, Ramsey; Osula |
Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Newcastle United
While Fulham have been a formidable force at Craven Cottage this season, their attacking output has dried up significantly in the final weeks of the campaign. Newcastle, conversely, have rediscovered their goalscoring touch largely thanks to Osula’s emergence. The Magpies’ defence guarantees they will likely concede, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in weeks, but Howe’s men should have just enough firepower to edge out Marco Silva’s side, securing an away win and potentially a top-half finish.
