Frustration from the home crowd as yet more aimless passing and a lack of drive is starting to get on their nerves.

It's so cagey at the moment that any mistake could prove ultimately costly. It needs a spark...

Image source, Reuters

As well as some sympathetic applause, there was also some unsympathetic giggling according to Fulham's Twitter account...

Poor Odoi.

Nothing between the two teams at the moment. Still no real clear-cut chances. Jamaal Lascelles' header caused the biggest problem.

Both keepers have been kept a little busy - Martin Dubravka for Newcastle on the left and Sergio Rico on the right. The battle is currently in midfield.

Image source, Opta

Denis Odoi takes one in the mid-drift and is feeling the effects! Unfortunately he's given away a throw-in too but he gets a bit of sympathetic applause from the home fans.

All I want for Christmas is goals in this game.

Image source, PA

Alfie Mawson is as cool as a cucumber to turn under pressure from Ayoze Perez. Fulham lose possession in midfield though and Andre Schurrle gives away a free-kick for a late challenge.

It's swung in towards the back post by Newcastle and Jamaal Lascelles heads it back across goal. It takes a deflection off Aleksandar Mitrovic and almost bobbles into the goal before it's hooked away off the line!

Ki Sung-yeung does brilliantly to spin away before Javier Manquillo faints to go one way but bursts in the other direction. Nothing comes of the attack but Newcastle retain possession.

Timid affair so far but it's intriguing. This game could go either way!

Matt Ritchie wins a free-kick which Ki Sung-yeung swings in from the left. It's cleared by Newcastle but only as far as Ritchie.

The ball is pinged straight back into the area but the referee stops play as Ayoze Perez and Joe Bryan smack heads and need a bit of treatment. Both look fine - but always best to play it safe.

Newcastle aren't a fan of the right side at the moment (as you can see from their attacking third map). Fulham decide to attack down that wing but Jean Michael Seri's cross takes a deflection before it's grabbed by Martin Dubravka.

Some nice interplay from the visitors in the build-up though.

Image source, Opta

Mohamed Diame spots the run of Ayoze Perez down the left wing but it's well recovered by Denis Odoi.

Newcastle are just starting to find their feet a little.

Fulham win several 50-50 challenges in midfield and are able to push forward through Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle.

Newcastle look a bit sketchy but they recover in time to force Fulham all the way back to keeper Sergio Rico.

Image source, Reuters

Javier Manquillo heads the ball back across the box and Salomon Rondon is ready to pounce onto it. But a challenge comes in from Tim Ream which completely takes the Newcastle forward out. The hosts are appealing for a penalty and they might have a good shout on first glance... Martin Atkinson gives nothing.

Aleksandar Mitrovic twists and turns, beats Jamaal Lascelles and creates space for himself to shoot on the left side of the box. He does, but his strike is comfortably collected by Martin Dubravka.

Andre Schurrle's turn is nice but his pass to Jean Michael Seri isn't quite so nice. Fulham retain possession though, and are happy to pass it around the back.

They have travelled in the Christmas spirit, wearing their reddish away kit. Newcastle are donning their usual black and white stripes.

Bad news? Four of the last five meetings between Newcastle and Fulham have ended 1-0. So we're not expecting a goal fest.

Good news? (For Newcastle fans) - the last seven meetings have ended in a home victory.

And we're off!

Vicki Sparks
BBC Radio 5 live at St James Park

"He'll either get sent off or score a hat-trick."

Such was one Newcastle fan's appraisal of Aleksandar Mitrovic's return to St James' Park. Domestic goals may have dried up for Serbia's Player of the Year - just two since his early-season scoring spree - but he's exactly the sort of character who is capable of producing some drama.

In a mirror image of Mitrovic's campaign, Newcastle's number nine Salomon Rondon has hit a purple patch after a slow start. He could prove a real handful for Fulham's notoriously leaky defence, as Rafael Benitez looks to open up a 10-point gap over Claudio Ranieri's men.

Newcastle make two changes to the side which narrowly beat Huddersfield 1-0 last weekend.

Paul Dummett comes in for Kenedy, while Matt Ritchie replaces Ciaran Clark.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Dummett, Sung-yueng, Schar, Lascelles, Rondon, Diame, Ritchie, Perez, Manquillo, Atsu

Image source, BBC Sport

There is just the one change for Fulham from their 2-0 defeat to West Ham. Cyrus Christie replaces Aboubakar Kamara.

Fulham XI: Rico, Odoi, Chambers, Mitrovic, Cairney, Ream, Schurrle, Christie, Bryan, Seri, Mawson

Image source, BBC Sport

Fulham have had a rough time in the Premier League. They are rock bottom and are without a win in four matches.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle come into the match on the back of a victory over Huddersfield but are still just four points above the relegation zone.

Image source, Getty Images

But who will bring the Christmas cheer at St James Park?

Image source, Getty Images