Arbeloa encourages Fulham 'to keep believing in the way that we are playing'

Alvaro Arbeloa has encouraged his Fulham side "to keep believing in the way that we are playing" ahead of their Premier League matchup against Newcastle United on Saturday.

After failing to win any of their first six league games this season (D2 L4), Fulham have bounced back with a three-game unbeaten run (W2 D1).

They followed up 1-0 wins over Hull City and Coventry City with a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last time out.

Fulham accumulated 2.2 expected goals (xG) against Villa, but despite creating four Opta-defined 'big' chances, the Cottagers equalised with an own goal from Zion Suzuki.

Despite lacking a clinical edge in front of goal, Arbeloa believes his side are on the right path.

"I think I would be more worried if we don't create chances, but we are creating chances, so we need to keep believing in the way that we are playing," said Arbeloa.

"We need to keep working on our finishing. It's about creating chances, not conceding chances, and playing in the way that we believe, and I think we have done really well.

“We have a very difficult match [against Newcastle] on Saturday at home, and yes, we need to continue growing as a team, because we are just starting. I'm so happy and so proud of my players."

Newcastle are two points and two places above Fulham in 13th, but are struggling for form and confidence.

The Magpies have lost twice to Everton in their last two fixtures, first in the EFL Cup and then in the Premier League.

The Newcastle players were booed off at full-time after their league defeat to the Toffees at St. James' Park, and defender Dan Burn understood the fans' frustrations.

"When you're not winning games, there's always a lack of confidence," Burn told Sky Sports.

"The fans weren't happy. They have shown that at half-time and full-time. That doesn't make it easy to build confidence when you're in that atmosphere.

"But I've been a fan, so I understand the frustrations when they're not getting what they're expecting.

"It doesn't make it easier for us as players. You can sense that nervousness in the ground."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fulham – Josh King

Fulham are responsible for two of the four players to have had the most touches in the opposition box in the Premier League this season: Josh King (57, first) and Oscar Bobb (50, fourth).

Of all players to have had 400+ touches this term, King has also had the highest share in the opposition box (13% – 57/438).

Newcastle United – Yoane Wissa

Yoane Wissa came on as a substitute in Newcastle's defeat to Everton and recorded the Magpies' only two shots on target.

He was responsible for 0.4 of their 1.3 xG, the most of any player, and was denied a goal following a superb save from Jordan Pickford.

MATCH PREDICTION: FULHAM WIN

Fulham have won three of their last four Premier League games against Newcastle (L1), having gone eight without a win against the Magpies beforehand (D2 L6).

None of the 18 Premier League meetings between Fulham and Newcastle in London have ended as draws (11 Fulham wins, seven Newcastle wins), with 16 played at Craven Cottage and two at Loftus Road (2002-03 and 2003-04).

No side from outside the capital have lost more Premier League games in London than Newcastle (97, level with Everton).

However, the Magpies have won both visits so far this season (2-0 v Tottenham and 2-0 v Crystal Palace), last winning more consecutively between May 2013 and January 2014 (four).

Newcastle are looking for consecutive away Premier League wins for the first time since March/April 2025 – each of their last four away wins in the competition have been in London.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Fulham – 43%

Draw – 26.7%

Newcastle United – 30.3%