ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - NEWCASTLE UNITED V FULHAM

English Premier

2009-05-16 - Newcastle United vs Fulham

A Sports Betting Pick by Shady

Newcastle United v Fulham
Football: England, Premier League
Saturday 16th May 2009 - Kickoff 15:00

---

Newcastle United

Newcastle are on the verge of survival. A vital win against Boro Saw the Geordies move out of relegation and another 3 points here would almost guarantee them survival.

Alan Shearer picked up his first three points as a manager on Monday when he saw his side came from behind to win Boro. The win would have lift his side but the interesting question here today is can his tactics win Roy Hodgson’s tactics?

Newcastle will be without Alan Smith, Jose Enrique, Kadar and Gonzalez who are injured while Martins is doubtful for ahead of this clash. Joey Barton is suspended for this game. I do expect Shearer to start with almost the same players he started against Boro.

Steve Harper will start in goal and he will be protected by Sebastien Bassong, Steven Taylor, Habib Baye and Damien Duff. In midfield, veteran Nicky Butt will start alongside Kevin Nolan in heart of midfield accompanied by Jonas Gutierrez and Danny Guthrie while Mark Viduka is expected to partner Michael Owen up front.

Shearer insists in former England strike partner Michael Owen still has the ability to score goals as he used to. I have to agree, Owen is still dangerous in the box BUT he definitely will not perform consistently across the entire season.

Owen not scored since the 2-2 draw against West Ham in January. It’s been like 4 months and if he cant deliver, what makes me think that he would deliver today?

Fulham

Roy Hodgson’s side had a good performance last weekend when they defeated Aston Villa 3-1.

From a relegation battle side a couple of seasons ago, Hodgson’s arrival had turn Fulham into a team contending for a place in Europe next season. Fulham are currently lying on seven spot just two points above Spurs and West Ham.

Hodgson will welcome back Bobby Zomara and Andrew Johnson for this clash against Newcastle. However he will probably keep Diomansy Kamara in the starting lineup as he did well last weekend against Villa. Apart from Sean Davies and Barnes, Hodgson has the entire squad to select from.

Mark Schwarzer will start in goal and he will be protected by Hangeland, Aaron Hughes, Paul Konchesky and John Pantsil. In midfield, Dickson Etuhu and Danny Murphy is expected to start in central midfield accompanied by Clint Dempsey and Zoltan Gere from the flanks. Andrew Johnson should be recalled and should partner Diomansy Kamara up front.

Having said earlier, Hodgson is heaps and bounds wiser than Shearer when it comes to formation and tactics and I believe Hodgson will set out a side to hit on Newcastle’s weakness.

Betting Statistic :

Under the Asian handicap line this season, Newcastle have managed to win seven out of the eighteen home games, losing nine of them. Since the turn of the year, Newcastle only managed to win twice at home on the handicap line and one of it was on Monday against Boro while the other was against Manchester United.

Fulham have managed to win nine out of their eighteen away games under the Asian handicap line. Not as impressive as their home record but prior to their defeat at Chelsea, Fulham have won four of their last five away games under the handicap.

The Betting Verdict :

Alan Shearer might motivate the fans the players but clearly his lack of managerial experience might just get Newcastle relegated. To be honest, I cant see how Newcastle is going to win here today against a rigid Fulham side under Roy Hodgson.

Newcastle were a touch fortunate to win against Boro who “deserved” to get relegated but can Newcastle deliver the goods and pull out a massive win against Fulham? My answer is NO.

In fact I do fancy a Fulham win as Roy Hodgson’s side is chasing for a European spot next season.

The Statistics :