Premier League 
/ Frank Gregan / 01 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Who needs Andy Carroll when I'm here, Shola Ameobi (seems to) say
"The Geordie faithful have enjoyed better final days of a transfer window. The sale of local hero Andy Carroll has stunned the supporters and the recruitment of Stephen Ireland on loan from Aston Villa has done little to placate them."
Unless you've been living on the moon for the last 24 hours, you'll know that Andy Carroll is no longer a Newcastle player though he's injured at the moment anyway. Frank Gregan tells us how he expects Alan Pardew's men to get on in their first match post-Carroll...
Fulham V Newcastle
Kick Off 8pm, Wednesday February 2, live on Sky Sports 2.
It's been a couple of days of contrasting fortunes for the supporters of these two clubs. Fulham enjoyed a morale boosting win over Spurs in the FA Cup on Sunday with an emphatic margin of victory. Newcastle had the weekend off courtesy of their debacle at Stevenage and used the break to re-charge the batteries at a training camp in Portugal.
The Geordie faithful have enjoyed better final days of a transfer window. The sale of local hero Andy Carroll has stunned the supporters and the recruitment of Stephen Ireland on loan from Aston Villa has done little to placate them. There is a feeling in the North East that the fee Liverpool paid represents superb business for Newcastle but the worry is that the money won't be spent on replacing him and Newcastle may have to wait a while until they have another real 'local hero'.
Ireland looks set to feature for Newcastle but Cheik Tiote serves the last of his three match ban. Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his Fulham debut.
Match Odds: Fulham [2.12] Newcastle [4.1] The Draw [3.4]
Fulham have won their last four home games in all competitions but their win ratio at home in the league this season is only one in three. Newcastle have a slightly better win percentage on the road than their opponents do at home but have conceded injury time goals in their last two matches which has cost them four points.
Newcastle used to have a dreadful record in London but so far this season they have won league games at West Ham and Arsenal and beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup. Fulham will be buoyed by their recent form and will be looking for a quick start. The first 15 minutes will be vital and if Fulham haven't made a breakthrough by then and Newcastle have settled, an In-Play back on Newcastle at odds of [4.3] or better is the recommendation.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Fulham have scored ten goals in two cup matches recently at the Cottage but in the league they are only averaging a goal every 60 minutes at home. Newcastle are averaging less than a goal a game on the road and the corresponding match between these two sides earlier in the season at St James's Park finished 0-0. All indications are that this looks like being 'unders' and the market agrees which is why it's trading at [1.76] whilst [2.3] is available on overs.
But this might be a market in which to take on the stats and buck the trend. Both these sides are looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone and will be thinking that this is a game that they can win. Both sides should have a go and the [2.3] available on overs is a sporting price.
Penalty Taken
You could be forgiven for thinking that Fulham have had their quota of penalties for one week. However, the pace of the Fulham attack against a pedestrian Newcastle defence and with Shola Ameobi trying to prove there is a Geordie talent that can be a handful in the box at the other end, is enough to persuade me that [3.8] on a penalty being awarded is worth an interest.
Best Bet : Back over 2.5 goals at [2.3].
Other Recommendation: Back 'yes' on penalty taken at [3.8]
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