A look at the opposition: How have Newcastle fared thus far this season?

Fulham come into their next Premier League challenge against Newcastle at Craven Cottage, as they look to head into the international break off the back of an improvement in form.

The Cottagers have enjoyed a much more productive spell since the last international break, winning two, drawing one and falling to just one defeat in the four games since we resumed in October and things are much rosier suddenly under Alvaro Arbeloa.

Now, following those positive results against Hull, Coventry and Aston Villa, Fulham’s next challenge is a clah with Newcastle.

The Magpies have undergone significant change over the summer, in a similar way to Villa, with several of their key men - Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali leaving for pastures new.

And so, in a season of change, Newcastle were expected to struggle somewhat.

But, after nine matches now, how have they fared?

August

Newcastle were more or less the direct antithesis of Fulham in August, with Matthias Jaissle’s men flying out of the blocks.

They grabbed a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, before a 2-0 away win at Tottenham, as well as beating West Brom 3-2 in the Carabao Cup to maintain an unbeaten start under their new boss.

September

A 2-2 draw with Bournemouth continued their strong start, as did a 1-0 away triumph against Millwall in the Carabao Cup.

But things rather flew off the handle at a difficult Monday night at Elland Road, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin inspiring the home side to a massive win and giving Jaissle his first headache.

The Magpies were the first side to defeat Hull this season in the Premier League, thanks to early strikes from Joe Willock and Lewis Hall and so they headed into the international break having lost just once.

October

As far as months go, they do not come much worse than October did for Newcastle.

Frank Lampard’s Coventry absolutely battered them 4-1, before Aston Villa came to St James’ Park and snatched a 1-0 win.

Will Osula and Harvey Barnes did at least combine to give the Magpies an all-important win away at Crystal Palace but their run in the Carabao Cup was brought to an abrupt end by Everton.

November

Newcastle had already lost to Everton once and they were hoping to inflict some instant revenge when hosting the Toffees in the Premier League in yet another Monday night clash involving the Toon Army.

Despite having 17 shots and mustering 1.47xG, they failed to score, with Thierno Barry’s strike early in the second half handing Everton a 1-0 win.

Newcastle now sit 13th in the Premier League, just two points ahead of Fulham and have lost three of their last four matches - the Cottagers will now be looking to usurp them in the table with a third win of their own in four.