English Premier
2011-02-02 - Fulham vs Newcastle United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Wednesday 2 February 2011 - Kickoff 8pm
This game is live on TV
Fulham
There might be some good signs by the River Thames at last for Fulham fans who enjoyed the highs of the Europa League last season and the relative struggles of this season. Mark Hughes has said for a while that the team have not been playing badly, they have just been unfortunate when it comes to the results they have had, but the 4-0 win over Tottenham at the weekend could be a real sign of things to come.
The Cottagers are 15th in the Premier League and their 26 point total still leaves them dangerously close to the relegation trapdoor. They will look for a set of improved results at Craven Cottage as we head towards the end of the season. So far, Fulham are 4-5-3 at home this season, scoring 16 goals and conceding 14.
The close loss at Anfield last week is the only setback suffered by the side in the last 6 games they have played in all competitions, a run in which they have progressed to the 5th round of the FA Cup. The result over Tottenham means they have won 4 in a row at home since losing 1-3 to West Ham United, although 2 of those wins came in the Cup. Fulham have won back to back League games at home and have kept clean sheets in both games.
Gael Kakuta and Eider Gudjohnson were both signed as the transfer window was beginning to close and both will be in the squad for this game. Mark Schwarzer is still being given time off after playing for Australian in the Asian Cup, while Dickson Etuhu is losing his battle for fitness.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United don't really do simple things - the sale of Andy Carroll has since being greeted with barbs being fired at one another. Newcastle claim Carroll wanted to leave the club, while Carroll himself claims that he did not want to leave and was told by the club that he should put in a transfer request as they wanted to sell him. While that continues to unravel itself, what we do know is that Newcastle need to pick up some points to ensure survival as this could be a long 3 months ahead.
The Magpies are 9th in the table before Tuesday nights games, and they have accumulated 30 points so far this season, more than respectable. However, the crazy nature of the Premier League this season means they are only 8 points clear of the relegation places and 10 clear of the bottom. Newcastle are 4-2-5 away from home this season, scoring 10 goals and conceding 18 and only 3 teams have scored less goals away from home.
Newcastle have had a hard time of late, failing to win any of their last 3 games and losing in the FA Cup at lower League Stevenage. However, it has been harder for them in recent weeks as the last 2 draws has come courtesy of last minute goals conceded by the side. The team has won just 1 of their last 6 games away from home and have lost 4 of those games.
Andy Carroll's departure just means the likes of Leon Best, Nile Ranger, Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands have to step up to the plate. Stephen Ireland signed on loan from Aston Villa but is still 2 weeks away from fitness. Cheik Tiote is suspended for the final game.
Head to Head
Fulham have lost just 2 of their last 9 games against Newcastle in the Premier League and are unbeaten in the last 3 games.
The Magpies had completed the double over Fulham in the 2007-08 season, but it is Fulham who have won 3 of the 4 recent games in the Premier League at Craven Cottage.
The game at St James' Park ended 0-0 earlier this season.
Prediction
I am very interested in how the passionate travelling supporters greet Alan Pardew and the team in this game on Wednesday. The loss of Andy Carroll is sure to have upset many anyway, but the aftershocks as both parties counter claims against one another has left a further unsavoury taste in the mouth.
In contrast, Fulham is a picture of calm as the side tore apart Tottenham on Sunday and should be more than up for this game. Bobby Zamora is nearing a return and all of a sudden there are a few options for Mark Hughes in his forward line.
The lack of goals away from home for Newcastle will be a concern, especially considering Fulham have 4 clean sheets in their last 6 at home, and the vulnerabilities in the Newcastle backline has been clear for all to see with late goals scored against them in 3 consecutive games.
The price on the home win looks about right to me and has tempted me enough to play it.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Fulham 2-0 Newcastle United
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll take the Fulham WIN @ 2.1 (2 UNITS)Follow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak - there is a direct link below
