Fulham v Newcastle: five key battles

A new-look Fulham open their Championship campaign on Friday against a Newcastle side who have also been overhauled. As many as 15 players could make their debuts, but here are five potential battles we think might be important at Craven Cottage.

Tomas Kalas v Dwight Gayle
On-loan Chelsea defender Kalas is expected to make his Fulham debut against the Magpies. He impressed in the Championship for Middlesbrough last season but will face an examination first up against Newcastle new boy Gayle, who score 13 goals in 29 games for Peterborough the last time he played at this level.

Scott Parker v Mohamed Diame
Whites skipper Parker spent two seasons at Newcastle, as a much younger man, and could come up against Diame, who signed from Hull on the eve of the game. The pair’s paths never crossed at West Ham – Diame arrived a year after Parker’s departure – but their battle may crucial on Friday.

Matt Smith v Jamal Lascelles
With Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele gone, Fulham are in the market for another striker. In the meantime, Smith will look to make the place his own after a couple of frustrating years at Craven Cottage (36 appearances, seven goals). He has four inches on Newcastle defender Lascelles, who will remember Smith well from his Nottingham Forest days.

Floyd Ayite v Daryl Janmaat
Togolese winger Ayite has looked very good in pre-season and will want to have a real run at Janmaat, whose mind may still be on a move away from St James’s Park before the window shuts. 

Ryan Sessegnon or Scott Malone v Matt Ritchie or Vurnon Anita
Slavisa Jokanovic’s big decision will come at left-back. He signed Malone for that position but Sessegnon played well beyond his 16 years against Brighton and Crystal Palace and may be given the nod for his debut. Whoever plays is likely to come up against another Newcastle signing, Matt Ritchie, or Vurnon Anita.