• Fulham v Newcastle

Jol admits Cisse slipped through his grasp

Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba will be the men leading the attack for Newcastle © Getty Images

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Martin Jol will hope the one that got away does not come back to bite him on Monday night, as his Fulham face a Newcastle side led from the front by Papiss Cisse.

Jol had earmarked Cisse as a potential signing last January, but the striker elected for Newcastle and went on a blistering run of scoring in the second half of the season.

Fulham have moved on, with Jol recruiting Dimitar Berbatov in the summer - but Cisse will be a player in his sights on Monday.

"He was always on my list. I can't lie so I have to say yes. He made the choice for Newcastle and that was it," Jol said. "Three or four last year were too expensive or stayed and he was one of them."

Fulham host Newcastle with both sides level on 17 points, but worryingly closer to the relegation spots than the European places.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is set to welcome back Hatem Ben Arfa from injury and he may be handed a place in a three-man attack alongside Cisse and Demba Ba.

The Magpies snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Wigan last week and Pardew is hopeful his side have turned a corner.

While Newcastle are boosted by the return of Ben Arfa, Fulham can also call on captain Brede Hangeland - although Jol may be without full-back Sascha Riether who has picked up a knee injury.

Fulham player to watch:
Fulham are usually very strong at home, but they have lost three times at Craven Cottage already this term and are without a win in seven games. Jol will hope the return of Hangeland can keep Cisse, Ba and co in check.

Newcastle player to watch:
Demba Ba has 33 goals to his name in 60 Premier League appearances. After a lull towards the end of last term, he has come back in hot form this term and will be the focal point of the Newcastle attack.

Betting:
Some felt the Magpies punched above their weight last term, but they are a better side than their 14th place suggests. They were arguably unlucky to lose to Stoke a couple of starts ago and they can show their class by taking all three points at Fulham - which is 11/4 with bet365.

Prediction: 0-2

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