Bernd Leno believes Newcastle United have "underperformed" so far this season but will be highly-motivated to get their season back on track this weekend.
The Magpies travel to Leno's Fulham looking for their first away win of the campaign, with Eddie Howe's side struggling for form on the road. They have lost just once, however, falling to a dramatic 2-1 defeat at Liverpool with Newcastle currently 10th in the Premier League, having collected eight points from a possible 21.
Meanwhile, Fulham have began the season superbly and sit inside the European places after picking up 11 points from their first seven matches. They will be looking to continue their excellent start when they host the Magpies, with Fulham coming into the game off the back of a 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest.
"I think it’s a big game," Leno told Fulham's website. " Newcastle have a very good team but I think they’ve underperformed a little bit.
"They had a big game against Liverpool but conceded a [winning] goal at the end, two weeks ago they played against Bournemouth and unfortunately got just one point.
"They have a little bit of pressure to win some games, and I think at Craven Cottage we showed everyone how strong we are, what kind of football we play. I think they respect our game and it will be very tough for us, for them as well, so I think it’s going to be a 50-50 game."
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Leno has impressed in a Fulham shirt since making the £8million move from Arsenal in the summer, with the German goalkeeper coming straight into the starting XI. Although Leno is yet to keep a clean sheet in his first five appearances for the Whites, he has made a number of impressive saves and was crucial as the Whites beat Brighton and Forest in recent weeks.
Another player who has been important for the Whites so far this term is Aleksandar Mitrovic, with the Serbian netting six goals already. Only Erling Haaland has scored more (11) in the Premier League and Leno has praised his teammate.
"I think he’s our biggest player," Leno added. "Not only with his goals, his performances, the way he keeps the ball, he’s the first player pressing.
"I’m very impressed with him. I knew he was good, but I’ve been impressed by how good he really is. We’re very happy to have him in the team.
"He’s a good goal scorer, he can keep the ball, he can score a goal out of nothing and, like I said, we are very happy to have him in our team."
