In England, Newcastle United hosted Fulham on December 17, 2025, in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at St James' Park. This match followed a difficult Premier League derby defeat for Newcastle, where they lost 1-0 to their fierce rivals Sunderland, leaving them in 12th place in the league. Despite injury challenges, including the absence of key players like Dan Burn, Nick Pope, and Kieran Trippier, Newcastle aimed to bounce back in their favored cup competition. The previous league meeting this season ended in a 2-1 victory for Newcastle, giving them confidence going into this knockout tie. Fulham, on the other hand, was also seeking improvement, sitting just two points below Newcastle in the Premier League standings. With injuries to Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon, the team was further weakened by the absence of players at the Africa Cup of Nations, adding to the pressure on Marco Silva's squad. Newcastle entered the match with a stronger home record, having won seven of their last eight fixtures at St James' Park across all competitions. The match was highly competitive, with both teams looking to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the tournament. The stakes were high as Fulham aimed to capture a domestic trophy for the first time in their history. Football betting options reflected the intense interest in the match, with Newcastle being slight favorites due to their prior success against Fulham this season. Newcastle had previously eliminated Bradford City and Tottenham Hotspur in earlier rounds. Ultimately, the Carabao Cup match served as a crucial moment for Newcastle United, not only as a chance for silverware following their recent struggles but also as a platform to regain momentum in their season. As the tournament progresses, the victory boosts their morale, potentially setting the stage for further success in both domestic cups and the Premier League.