Newcastle v Fulham Preview

Newcastle v Fulham

Saturday 16 May 2009,

St James' Park

Newcastle

Newcastle United beat Middlesbrough 3-1 at home in their last league match, the Magpies' first win in eleven matches.

In their last five, Newcastle have won one, drawn two and lost two, earning five points from the fifteen on offer.  The Toon will be without Jose Enrique, whilst Alan Smith and Obafemi Martins are fighting to be fit.

Fulham

Fulham FC beat Aston Villa 3-1 at home in their last league match. In their last five, Fulham have won three, drawn one and lost one, picking up ten points from the available fifteen. Andy Johnson is fighting to be fit for Fulham for this match.

Prediction

Fulham defeated Newcastle 2-1 earlier this season at Craven Cottage, but Newcastle were victorious 2-0 in last season's Newcastle vs Fulham fixture.

After their come-from-behind victory against Middlesbrough on Monday evening, Newcastle appear to have found the belief in themselves necessary to ensure their survival in the Premier League at the end of the season. But as they are only above the relegation zone through goal difference with two matches left to play, Newcastle may have still have to win one—if not both—of their remaining fixtures to ensure safety.

Furthermore, the Toon will have to face a Fulham side in fine form and fighting for a European spot, with the Cottagers winning five of their last eight fixtures. The return from injury of Diomasy Kamara has been a huge boost to Fulham, with his two goal haul giving the side victory over Aston Villa at Craven Cottage last weekend.

Alan Shearer and his men still have every reason to be hopeful of a result on this occasion. In spite of their win last weekend being the Magpies' first at home in nine matches, they will likely carry the momentum from it into this game. In addition, Fulham have a relatively poor away record—winning only twice on the road all season—so the Toon Army and St James' Park may prove too much for the European contenders.

Still, Newcastle will have to find the necessary firepower up front to ensure victory, as Fulham have scored five goals in their last three matches and have drawn the equal highest amount of matches away from home in the Premier League this season.

If Newcastle continue from where they left off on Monday night then a Toon victory could very well be the outcome at St James' Park, and the bookmakers have picked the side as moderate favourites to win. But the impressive Fulham side will likely prove a tough challenge, and anything but the best from the Newcastle side could easily result in a draw, or a Fulham victory.

Read the complete preview with the best online betting odds at the Newcastle vs Fulham odds and preview page now!

Then read our other football previews including Man Utd vs Arsenal, Everton vs West Ham, and Tottenham vs Man City for Saturday's matches. And with West Brom vs Liverpool and Chelsea vs Blackburn on Sunday.