Newly-promoted Fulham's flying start to the season has The Cottagers currently sitting in the unexpected heights of the European places. They will look at extending their unbeaten start to the season at Craven Cottage, with the visit of Newcastle United.
The most recent win at Nottingham Forest had put Fulham an already solid-looking seven points above the relegation zone, in the Premier League.
Amidst their brilliant start to this season, Fulham will not have great memories of Newcastle's last two visits to their home - with 0-4 and 0-2 defeats coming in these fixtures, in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 seasons.
Newcastle's total of five draws from their seven opening fixtures represent what has been a fairly neutral start to their season. Eddie Howe has had to deal with injuries to key players - Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes at various points, during this opening spell of the season.
Most recently for The Magpies was a disappointing draw, at St. James' Park, against Howe's old club - Bournemouth. With the way that Newcastle ended last season, their supporters will be wanting slightly more from their side, if they are to put in a challenge for the European places.
Team News
Fulham
Antonee Robinson returned to training, earlier this week, following his ankle injury. He missed the trip to Nottingham Forest, after he was forced off during Fulham's game against Tottenham.
The long-term absentees - Manor Solomon and Harry Wilson are the only known injury-related omissions.
Marco Silva stated in his pre-match press conference, that: "We have some knocks [...] Harry and Manor will not be involved, but all the others will need to be assessed". This suggests that there is a chance that some unexpected absences in the Fulham squad tomorrow may be possible.
Joao Palhinha - who has started every league game, so far this season, will have to sit this one out. Impressively, he has picked up five yellow cards from Fulham's seven fixtures and is suspended for tomorrow's fixture.
Newcastle
Alexander Isak picked up an injury, while on international duty with Sweden. The forward has made a good start to life in England, with two goals from his first three league appearances for Newcastle and will be a large miss.
However, a significant boost comes in the return of his potential deputy - Callum Wilson. After missing all of September through injury, he will now be expected to start tomorrow.
Allan Saint-Maximin and Chris Wood have a chance of being involved, but Eddie Howe did not give much away, regarding the likeliness of the Frenchman being ready for the weekend - "There are a few situations that are unclear going into the game - Allan is one of them".
The prospects look fairly good for Bruno Guimaraes, who seemed like another injury issue going into the game - "We were concerned for him but he's come back & the scan was good. He's trained & he's trained well [...] he's physically fine and in the squad for tomorrow".
Predicted Lineups
Fulham
(4-2-3-1) Leno; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Cairney; Willian, Pereira, Reid; Mitrovic.
Newcastle
(4-3-3) Pope; Trippier, Schär, Botman, Targett; Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton; Almiron, Fraser, Wilson.
Key Players
Fulham - Aleksander Mitrovic
Carrying on from his remarkable 43-goal Championship campaign, last season, Mitrovic has been the key man, in Fulham's early season charge.
He has already doubled his goal tally from his last season in the top tier - 2020/21, when he only managed three goals in his 27 appearances. This time around, he has maintained just under a goal a game, netting six times in his seven starts.
During the international break, Mitrovic kept up his frightening form. The forward managed four goals in Serbia's two fixtures, against Sweden and Norway.
Newcastle - Kieran Trippier
Trippier endured a significantly more quiet international break. The full-back remained on England's bench, for both of their games, as they were relegated into League B of the UEFA Nations League.
He is a much more important player for his Newcastle side, however. Trippier often finds himself in very dangerous attacking positions and is able to create issues for opponents' defences, with his crosses into the box.
Trippier is also a huge danger from set-pieces, as his goal against Manchester City and strike of the woodwork against Bournemouth from free-kicks further reaffirmed.
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
Craven Cottage, in West London, will host the game.
What time is kick-off?
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 15:00 BST, on Saturday afternoon.
How can I watch?
The game is not available for live broadcast, in the U.K., due to the Saturday afternoon blackout rule. It may be available for international viewers.