Fulham host Newcastle United in the first English Championship match of the 2016/17 season this week and our football predictions point towards a Newcastle victory.
The Opening game of the Championship season comes from Craven Cottage. Relegated Newcastle travel to West London to take on Fulham as they look to open their Championship campaign with a victory on the road. We take a look at the betting odds and share our predictions for the opening encounter.
Fulham vs Newcastle Preview
Fulham
The Cottagers are a funny team. I’ve seen people touting them as outsiders for promotion whilst a number of doubters suggest they are a tempting price for relegation. Slavisa Jokanovic stays as head coach and he’s had chance to repair the leaky defence which hindered them badly last season. It almost sent them down. They had firepower in abundance, but could not keep a clean sheet and it was their Achilles heel throughout. Moussa Dembele has left for Celtic whilst the continuing speculation amid Ross McCormack’s transfer must be slightly unsettling. It would leave them a little light up top with Cauley Woodrow and Matt Smith leading the line being joined by Sone Aluko who has moved from Humberside.
Elsewhere, Kevin McDonald arrives to be a midfield enforcer whilst defensive reinforcements arrive in the shape of Tomas Kalas, Michael Madl and Scott Malone. It’s all change at the back but will they be able to keep out the Magpies. Their squad still looks a little light with midfield options sparse but I am a fan of Tom Cairney and he should have another good creative campaign.
Newcastle
Newcastle are resounding favourites for the title and the Championship promotion betting odds reflect that. They will be the subject of many people’s ante-post bets and should seal an instant return to the top flight. Rafa Benitez has remained in charge and should be able to organise his side as they undergo a testing 45 game season in the second tier for the first time since 2009-10. They went unbeaten at home when they last played at this level, but lost four games on the road.
Incoming are Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle, Grant Hanley and Isaac Hayden. Decent additions to an underachieving side which was already packed with talent. Sissoko has a terrific Euro 2016 and needs to replicate that in front of his own fans whilst Jonjo Shelvey will surely dominate many an average Championship midfield. The squad definitely looks stronger than 6/7 years ago and the short price backers of the Toon Army should be rewarded with a promotion in May.
Hull City promotion winner Mo Diame has completed his move north to Newcastle before this fixture too, furthering the case for a Newcastle cakewalk this season. Diame was a standout player for the Tigers last season and is another impressive signing. Newcastle only lost five times in the Premier League at St James’ Park, it’s their away form which needs significant improvement.
Fulham vs Newcastle Predictions
It’s an obvious choice, but I can’t look past a Magpies win for my first Fulham vs Newcastle betting tip. They are priced quite attractively, but that may because of their dodgy away form of the past 10 months. Here, I think they should take all three points.
Match Prediction – Newcastle win at 21/20 with William Hill: BET HERE.
It’s tough to know who Rafa will start in this game, but new signing Matt Ritchie scored many a blinder at this level when in Bournemouth colours. He could be a good bet at the Cottage for any anytime goalscorer bet.
Matt Ritchie to score anytime – 11/4 with Coral: BET HERE.
I think Fulham will make it hard for Newcastle on Friday night. They will want to impress in their opening game of the season. They will aim to restrict Newcastle chances and hope to create chances of their own. I think Newcastle will emerge victorious, but one goal might be the difference and that’s where the third football prediction in my Fulham vs Newcastle betting preview comes from.
Newcastle to win by 1 goal – 14/5 with Betfair: BET HERE.
Fulham v Newcastle Bookmaker Betting Tips
With this being the first game of the season, there are plenty of great betting offers about.
If you fancy Newcastle to win, we highly recommend you open an account with Bet Bright and you can get 25/1 on a Toon Army win. We fancy Newcastle to open their account with a victory and the price is bound to shorten pre-kick off, so take advantage of the terrific enhancement available to all new customers before it sells out!
OFFER: Get 25/1 on a Newcastle win v Fulham when you open a new Bet Bright account.
Already got a Bet Bright account? Then this enhanced odds offer from Coral is for you. Open a new Coral account via this link and you'll see a massive 10/1 for Newcastle to beat Fulham tonight, bet £5 on the 10/1 and if Newcastle win you get £50, if it's a draw or Fulham win you get a £5 refund. It's no lose!
OFFER: Get 10/1 for Newcastle to beat Fulham when you open a new Coral account.
The offers do not end there for Fulham vs Newcastle tonight. Paddy Power have also got an enhanced odds offer for Newcastle to win, they've offering 7/1 for Newcastle to win to their new customers. You can bet £10 on this price boost, meaning £70 profit if Newcastle beat Fulham.
OFFER: Get 7/1 for Newcastle to beat Fulham when you open a new Paddy Power account.
Jack Critchley
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