Fulham v Newcastle United: Will Jol bounce back with victory over the Mags?
Newcastle have won all three home games of 2012 and have moved above Liverpool in the race for a top four finish but this weekend will pose Alan Pardew his toughest test of the calendar year so far as they head south to take on Fulham.
The Mags have been in sublime form this season - bar their little blip in November - and even without the impressive Demba Ba they are still scoring goals and grinding out results. They destroyed Mark Hughes' hopes of starting his spell at QPR with a win last weekend and will be hoping to add to Fulham's worries after their defeat at Blackburn.
Martin Jol will be looking for an immediate response from his men after that defeat to 10-man Blackburn, but Newcastle have the Champions League music burning in their ears. A top four finish is not out of the question for Pardew's men and they will be keen to avoid any slip ups here.
Only Everton, Spurs and Manchester United have left the Cottage with maximum points this season and Newcastle haven't won there since Joey Barton scored a late penalty in December 2007. Fulham will fancy their chances but Newcastle could go one point behind Chelsea - if things go their way. Fulham are looking at climbing into the top half with a win.
There has never been a goalless draw between the two sides at Craven Cottage, but one goal has separated the two on eight of the last 10 meetings. I expect to see goals but who will come out on top?
Fulham v Newcastle United; Kick Off 3pm January 21 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
0 |
V |
1 |
Panel Verdict
This could go either way.
Home: 9; Draw: 15; Away: 9. TBA 3
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
