MARK O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) shares his view on his beloved QPR’s battle with Blackburn on Wednesday night.
QPR v Blackburn | Wednesday 19.45
Yeah, I broke one of my golden rules on Saturday and got done over. I never ever bet on my own team but I thought QPR screamed value against Nottingham Forest. I stand by the selection but watching the game unfold was incredibly frustrating and rather inevitable.
If you don’t follow a top-four club, I’m sure you know the feeling. As soon as you finally feel confident in the side you support they go and F things up for you. The joys of being a football fan, eh? Sometimes I wish I was one of those weirdos who hates the game and prefers getting erect over Top Gear or could whisk the hours away on the banks of the River Thames fishing.
But hey, I’ll be at Loftus Road on Wednesday willing the Super Hoops on and although we’re trading at odds-against (21/20 BetVictor) against winless Blackburn, I’ve learnt my lesson. I totally understand if you fancy getting involved at those odds but there are a few cautionary points.
For a good hour on Saturday, Rangers were absolutely pants. We could barely keep hold of the ball, looked far from threatening and back to our old unreliable defensive selves. Debut centre-half Gabriele Angella was forced off with a head injury, which won’t have helped, but even so, Forest were allowed the freedom of West London to strut their stuff.
It’s nothing totally new, mind. Rotherham weren’t great in W12 but did blow a few brilliant opportunities to get in front and bar earning a surprise shutout at Huddersfield before the international break, QPR have conceded at least two goals in every Championship encounter this season.
Can you really rely on Rangers winning when they’re leaking so many goals? Not in my opinion. A better bet would be to venture into the Both Teams To Score market with 10Bet dangling a fairly attractive 10/13. Considering it’s a selection that’s won in four of Blackburn’s six and in five of QPR’s six, I thought something closer to 4/6 would be offered. Bingo.
Rovers have returned W0-D3-L3 thus far with rumours swirling around the town that Gary Bowyer’s job is under threat. I’m not hugely surprised having put the visitors up for relegation at a tasty price but with Jordan Rhodes in the squad plus Ben Marshall and Craig Conway still flying down the flanks supplying the front man, I’d have expected more than just four goals at this stage.
Bowyer’s boys got off to a shocking start at Fulham on Sunday and deservedly trailed 2-0 early on but fought back valiantly. Rhodes’ penalty gave the scoreline a better balance at full-time as Blackburn pressed the Cottagers hard. Rhodes also hit a post, as did new signing Bengaly-Fode Koita. The Lancashire side also saw a Grant Hanley effort cross the line that was missed by the officials.
Luck appears to be against Rovers just now but can I see them scoring at Loftus Road? Of course. Can I see them keeping out Charlie Austin, Tjaronn Chery, Matt Phillips and Mass Luongo? No. The logical bet is to take BTTS but Austin's appealing at 7/5 (BetBright) to notch at Anytime too.
Best Bets
QPR v Blackburn – Both Teams To Score (10/13 10Bet)
QPR v Blackburn – Charlie Austin to score at anytime (7/5 BetBright)
Join Favourit And Get A 100% Deposit Bonus!
Our brand new Football League sponsors Favourit are offering WeLoveBetting readers a fantastic sign-up offer – they’ll match your first deposit up to £50!
Sign-up via any of our Favourit links on this page, make your deposit, then email us at hello@welovebetting.co.uk – we’ll have another surprise, exclusive for you.
