Fulham V Newcastle United Newcastle United vs Fulham Championship Fri, 5 Aug, 19:45 Craven Cottage Newcastle kick off their Championship season on Friday night, when they visit Craven Cottage for a 7.45pmkickoff that's live on Sky Sports 1. Despite all of the Rafa-related hype, United are battling the tide of history as they seek to avoid a sixth successive loss on the banks of the Thames. All 2,750 away section tickets have been sold, along with the adjacent neutral sections in the Putney End Stand, meaning up to 7,000 Toon fans will attend. Travel: Tube: If your journey involves the Northern Line, be aware of service alterations on Friday online hereThe Transport for London website is online here TfL twitter updates @TfLTravelAlerts Virgin Trains East Coast are running an additional service allowing fans to get home after full time. The train departs from London Kings Cross at 23.17, calling at York (01.31), Darlington (02.09), Durham (02.27) and terminating at Newcastle (02.57). Team: To follow Rafa Benitez could hand competitive debuts to no less than six new signings: Matz Sels, Jesus Gamez, Grant Hanley, Isaac Hayden, Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle. The latter netted twice for Crystal Palace on his only previous visit to this ground, scoring a goal in each half during a 2-2 draw in May 2014. Gayle's feat is also matched by Matt Ritchie, whose maiden appearance at Craven Cottage saw him net a goal in each half when Bournemouth beat Fulham 5-1 during March 2015. Our betting partner Coral are currently offering new customers 10/1 on Newcastle winning promotion from the Championship this coming season.The maximum stake is £5 and should Rafa's side fail in their quest, your stake will be refunded as a £5 bet. This enhanced price is only available online here(NB: this can't be combined with any other promos) Coral now have their match markets for our opener at Fulham online with the following catching our eye: NUFC to win 1-0 @ 13/2 NUFC to win to nil @ 12/5 HT draw, FT NUFC win @ 9/41-1 draw FT @ 11/2NUFC to come from behind and win 10/1 FFC: To follow The Cottagers rounded off pre-season with a 3-1 home win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, thanks to goals from Sone Aluko, Adam Smith and Floyd Ayite. Striker Ross McCormack missed that game and it remains to be seen whether he's still at Fulham by Friday, with a move Norwich strongly rumoured. Old boy Scott Parker is beginning his fourth season at Craven Cottage and turns 36 this coming October. Referee: tbc UK TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 Overseas TV: to follow Stats: Last time out: NUFC.com match report A 0-1 defeat here in March 2014 saw manager Alan Pardew absent as he began a stadium ban following his tussle with a Tiger at Hull City a week earlier. Team: Krul, Yanga-Mbiwa, Dummett, Anita (Marveaux), Williamson, Coloccini, Tiote, Sissoko, Cisse (Shola Ameobi), L.De Jong (Armstrong), Gouffran. Subs n/u:Alnwick, Gosling, Haidara, S.TaylorToon away to Fulham - last 10: 2013/14: Lost 0-1 2012/13: Lost 1-2 Ben Arfa 2011/12: Lost 2-5 Guthrie, Ben Arfa 2010/11: Lost 0-1 2008/09: Lost 1-2 Ameobi 2007/08: Won 1-0 Barton (pen) 2006/07: Lost 1-2 Martins 2005/06: Lost 0-1 2004/05: Won 3-1 Ambrose, Kluivert, Ameobi 2003/04: Won 3-2 Robert, Shearer 2 (@ QPR) With thanks and credit to NUFC.com. I did have to look for it. It's not easy plagiarising others work, ask Chippy.
Chippy's efforts? That's the last thing he puts in to his match day threads. He just copies from someone else!
I'm a bit nervous already. Confident, but we haven`t got the best record at Fulham if I remember, and they will be up for giving Rafa a bloody nose first game. This game has got "Must Win" written all over it already for me. Still think we need someone in midfield who can make things happen and we need another striker for sure. Please God, let us win!!!!!
No It does, its just we were so **** last season they sort of give us a headstart, before the rest of you, bit like a golf handicap. Make sense now?
Yes, but it's a very different Fulham we'll be facing on Friday, they've done a bit of a Leeds recently. Fulham look like one of the team that will struggle in the Championship, I'd say a 0-2 win for us, anything other than a win will be a major let down.
0-4 - Away win. Been to the last 5 Fulham away games, lost them all, always took the Mrs so she's banned now heading up with a mate and I canny wait. gonna get mortal!
I think last season Fulham were playing below what they are capable of and will be well up for it against us (same as every team). That being said, after a good pre-season and with the purchases we've made I think a Toon victory is achievable. Fulham 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd