The FourFourTwo Preview: Newcastle vs Fulham

Billed as…

A Toon side hapless at the sharp end host bottom-half sleepers lacking spark. 

The lowdown

If you haven’t yet guffawed at the hilarity of Newcastle’s shooting against West Ham last weekend (see this) it’ll tell you all you need to know about Alan Pardew’s side’s woes over the last 12 months. Sure, there’s Papiss Cisse who can generally be relied upon up front, but the Magpies haven't replaced Demba Ba adequately since his January departure to Chelsea.

Loic Remy could at least make his debut after sitting out the opening two games, and that’s particularly good news for Pardew, who may have woken up in a cold sweat this week thinking about Yoan Gouffran’s late miss against the Hammers.

Then there’s the injuries (more on that soon), six of which are to first-team players. Last season’s issues aren’t going away just yet.  

It’s not much better for Fulham though, who scraped through their midweek Capital One Cup tie against Burton Albion on penalties despite fielding an almost full-strength side against the League Two side. Martin Jol’s men were comfortably undone by Arsenal at Craven Cottage last weekend, but there was at least a debut goal – typically poached – by new man Darren Bent. On paper the former England man and Dimitar Berbatov should make for an exciting Premier League strike force. Only time well tell, but something still just doesn’t feel quite right about the west Londoners. 

Team news

Will it ever get better for Newcastle? It’s not quite as bad as last season but Pardew would rather enjoy the services of Ryan Taylor, Massadio Haidara (both knee), Jonas Gutierrez (hamstring) and Mike Williamson (knock). Cheik Tiote (groin) and Remy (calf), however, could feature after recent problems. 

For Fulham, there could be a debut for interestingly-named centre-back Fernando Amorebieta, if he can recover from a knock in time. But Maarten Stekelenburg (shoulder) and Kieran Richardson (hamstring) will be absent, leaving David Stockdale and John Arne Riise to deputise once again. 

Player to watch: Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle)

Having spent around four months of last season sidelined,  the France international is understandably keen to make up for lost time. Undoubtedly Newcastle’s greatest creative threat, the 26-year-old is deployed wide right by Pardew with licence to cut inside and help out Cisse and Yoan Gouffran up front. 

But the Magpies’ creative hub must learn that patience is a virtue. Against West Ham he was the game’s most wasteful player in front of goal, firing five off-target efforts, all from outside the box. Against Manchester City in Newcastle's season opener it was a similar story. 

On the plus side, Ben Arfa’s passing stats so far this season make for more impressive reading. With 93% accuracy the Frenchman is excelling in that department, while his five completed take-ons in each game were both match highs. With that, he's also the Premier League's joint-top dribbler with Norwich wide man Nathan Redmond. 

Getting it right against Fulham could be key to the hosts’ chances of victory.    

The managers

They’ve faced off on eight occasions with five different clubs (Pardew at West Ham, Charlton and Newcastle; Jol with Tottenham and Fulham) – but only drawn once.

Jol has taken four wins to Pardew’s three, not least thanks to the Dutchman’s relatively successful days with Spurs. Pardew, on the other hand, took the reins at Charlton shortly after the Addicks’ 5-1 humbling at White Hart Lane in the dark days of Les Reed. 

Last season they took a win apiece in their respective home games, Newcastle nicking the points most recently thanks to Cisse’s last-minute winner at St James’ Park. 

Facts and figures

• Newcastle have had only one shot on target so far this season; fewer than any other Barclays Premier League side.
• Fulham have won two successive away games in the Barclays Premier League; they haven't won three in a row since May 2008.
• Newcastle United have failed to score in three successive Premier League games; they haven't failed to score in four in a row since January 2008.
• The home side have won each of the last five Premier League meetings between Newcastle and Fulham.
• Fulham have won 11 of their 22 Premier League meetings with Newcastle. Only against Bolton Wanderers (12 of 22) have they won more often in the competition.
• Since the start of 2012, Newcastle have lost just two of their eight Premier League home games against sides from London (W5 D1).
• Newcastle have used only two English players (12%; 2 of 17) so far in the Premier League this season; fewer than any other side.
• Hatem Ben Arfa has scored in both of his two Premier League appearances against Fulham. The Whites are one of two teams (along with Bolton) that Ben Arfa has netted more than once against in the competition.
• Darren Bent has become one of eight players to have scored for six different clubs in the Premier League. The full list is Nick Barmby, Darren Bent, Marcus Bent, Craig Bellamy, Andy Cole, Peter Crouch, Les Ferdinand and Robbie Keane.

FourFourTwo prediction

Newcastle are almost certainly going to pick up after last season’s dismal campaign, and things should get better from here – 2-0. 

Newcastle vs Fulham LIVE ANALYSIS using online Stats Zone