Fulham enjoyed a terrific start to the season but they are now winless in seven and badly need three points against Newcastle on Monday.
Tonight’s Premier League clash is between two out-of-form sides but Newcastle probably have more reasons to be optimistic ahead of the busy Christmas period and at least enter the clash at Craven Cottage on the back of a victory.
Last week’s 3-0 beating of Wigan was just what Magpies manager Alan Pardew needed having seeing his team lose in each of their previous four outings, he could point to a pretty substantial injury list during that period, which is now easing, and Fulham look short enough to me at around evens to land the spoils.
Only goal difference currently separates the pair, each has 17 points after 15 matches, and, while I expect neither to be dragged into a relegation battle, were there to be a loser then they would certainly be feeling the pinch.
Fulham’s 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham last time out extended their run of matches without a goal to three and, worryingly for Martin Jol, it is consecutive reversals in front of their own fans also, conceding six goals in the process.
In Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse, the visitors have as potent a strike force as the Premier League has to offer and the expected return of playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa, too, should not be underestimated.
The Frenchman was superb in the opening months of the new season but suffered a hamstring injury in the Europa League last month and, if given the go-ahead to start, might prove the difference between two evenly matched sides .
2pts Lay Fulham (vs. Newcastle) @ 2.10 (Betfair)