ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: NEWCASTLE V FULHAM – SUNDAY, 28 AUGUST 2011

REJUVENATED AJ PICK OF THE VALUE AT ST JAMES'

Premier League Tips

 

Newcastle United V Fulham (13:00 Kick-Off, GMT)

This isn’t a fixture to get head over heels excited about if you’re planning on nosediving into the goalscorer markets, as goals really have come at a premium whenever these two have clashed in recent seasons. There was just one last season – former Magpie Damien Duff settling matters at Craven Cottage in a 1-0 win for Fulham, three months after the two sides played out a dour 0-0 draw at St James’ Park – while there have been a paltry eight in the previous six league meetings.

One of the most turned out players in this fixture, Shola Ameobi, has faced the Cottagers on no fewer than ten occasions in the Premier League – most of those from the bench, it must be said – netting just three times. 

Ameobi is Newcastle’s man main up front now that Andy Carroll has departed, which perhaps doesn’t bode well for the season ahead considering he has just three goals to his name in his last 22 league appearances. But he’ll enjoy a regular run in the team this season, barring injuries, and I have no doubt that the 30-year-old former England U21 international will end the season as Newcastle’s leading marksman. It helps that he’s lethal from 12-yards.

So Ameobi senior is my first goalscorer pick, not Ameobi junior who netted Newcastle’s extra-time winner on Thursday in their Carling Cup second round tie with Scunthorpe.

Despite last year’s corresponding fixture ending goalless, backing No Goalscorer wouldn’t be the shrewdest most you’ll ever make – there has only been one goalless draw between the two teams in 32-years (26 matches).

Clint Dempsey was Fulham’s leading scorer in 2010/2011, netting thirteen times in all competitions, twelve of those coming in the Premier League and four of which were away from Craven Cottage. The American, though, still awaits his first goal against Newcastle; however, four of the ten goals Fulham have scored against Newcastle in the Premier League were by Americans (Brian McBride with 3 and defender Carlos Bocanegra with the remaining 1).

Fulham’s towering centre-half, Norwegian Brede Hangeland, finished second in the scoring charts for Fulham last season with six goals. He’ll be a prominent threat from every set-piece, as per usual.

Instead, I’m keen on taking a chance on Andy Johnson, the mercurial striker who has been plagued by injuries in recent years but is slowly but surely regaining his confidence with every minute he’s out on that green surface. Martin Jol has started him against both Aston Villa and Wolves, without any visible reward, while he also featured prominently during Fulham’s Europa League qualifiers, bagging a few in the process.

The fact Jol hasn’t substituted him in either league game so far is a massive indication, to me anyway, that Johnson will be Fulham’s main focal point in attack this season, which will surely comes as a huge boost to AJ’s previously ailing morale.

First Goalscorer: Shola Ameobi @ 13/2 VictorChandler

To Score: Andy Johnson @ 3/1 Unibet

 

Match odds: Newcastle EVENS, Draw 12/5, Fulham 11/4 (SkyBet)