FULHAM v NEWCASTLE UNITED
Friday 5th August 2016 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Football – England – Championship Betting Tips
Friday night marks the return of the long-awaited English domestic season, and the Championship kicks things off with an intriguing fixture between Fulham and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage with both teams looking to improve upon last season’s campaigns.
Fulham finished a very disappointing fifth from bottom at the end of last season but it could have been worse had current manager Slavia Jokanovic not steadied the ship; former manager Kit Symons was sacked back in November last year as he failed to build upon a promising start at the helm.
The Cottagers finished with a home record of 8-5-10 36/36 and will again be relying upon their leading goalscorer Ross McCormack who should get support from former Hull City marksman Sone Aluko.
Newcastle United start August back in the Championship following their disastrous Premier League campaign which ended in relegation at the end of last season. It’s been six years since The Magpies were in the English second tier and they’ll be desperate to bounce back up into the big-time at the first time of asking.
Rafa Benitez has stuck around to oversee promotion or bust, but if things don’t go their way early on, it’ll be interesting to see which comes first – Benitez leaves or gets sacked! Most of last season’s Premier League squad are still around, and former Coventry City striker Alan Armstrong (20 goals last season) has joined the club.
Striker Mitrovic is strong in the air and he should make more of an impression at this level, particularly against a fragile defence such as Fulham’s.
Pick: Newcastle United AH-0.25 @ 1.77 Bet Victor
