English Premier
2011-09-17 - Wolves vs QPR
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premiership
Saturday 17th September - Kickoff 3:00pm
Wolves
Mick McCarthy's Wolves have made an encouraging start to the season winning 2 of their opening 4 games and on Saturday they have a great chance to register another against Premiership new boys QPR.
The game will be played at Molineux, a ground that has seen Wanderers be a match for even the best sides in the league. If I recall last season both Chelsea and Man United lost here and their home form last season was a huge reason for their Premiership survival.
Wolves have started well with wins over Blackburn and Fulham in the opening two games of season, since then they took a very good point at Villa park but last time out went down 2-0 to Spurs. I was shocked by the Spurs score as I expected Wolves to grab a point there but Redknapp's had too much on the day. McCarthy was upset with the result and I'm sure we will see a much stronger Wolves this week, especially given how important the home games are and up against a newly promoted side, these are the must win games.
Only slight fear is that in the last 2 games Wolves have been shut out, at Villa and home to Spurs. It's not a worry as Wolves have decent attacking options but it's worth a note of caution.
Team news is that doubts remain over Guedioura, Edwards, Fletcher, Foley whilst Ebanks-Blake is out. Striker Fletcher has a groin injury and is a doubt for this one but reports suggest that he'll make it, whilst Guédioura's ankle knock isn't serious but Foley is struggling to make it in time. Being at home expect the 4-4-2 to come out with the wide threats from Jarvis and Hunt supplying Doyle and Fletcher. O'Hara is a classy player and can provide creativity from the middle of the midfield.
Predicted Wolves Lineup:
Hennessey, Stearman, Berra, Johnson, Ward; Hunt, Henry, O’Hara, Jarvis; Doyle, Fletcher
QPR
Rangers have made a decent start to the season, they sit in 11th place and have 4 points from their opening 4 games. Unlike 5 other clubs they do have a win and are the best placed promoted side, the start is decent but they must kick on and this starts at Wolves on Saturday.
Neil Warnock has made some decent signings to really boost his squad. Barton is a very good midfielder and great voice on the pitch who provides a great delivery from pieces. Warnock has be so impressed with Barton that he's given him the captain's armband from Taarabt the player that virtually took the club up by himself last season. Wright-Phillips is a very hot and cold winger but on his debut last week he looked very sharp and was Ranger's best player, I'm sure come May he will have been an excellent signing.
At the back signings of Traore and Young bring more quality to this backline with Traore playing for Juventus last year on loan and Young a capped International player. The Rangers side on paper certainly looks good enough to stay up but only time will tell if they can all gel together.
I said that Rangers had made an encouraging start and they have but it's a little misleading. They have 4 point which is impressive given they have only scored once at Everton, having been shut out in the 3 other games. The only encouragement is that that goal did come on the road and with the likes of Wright-Phillips and Taarabt on the break it make suite this side playing on their travels. Still this looks a tall order given how strong Wolves are physically and tight defensively especially at Molinuex.
Team news is that doubts hang over Helguson, Orr, Rowlands, Traore with Dyer, Hulse, Mackie all missing. Full back Orr has a groin injury and should recover but it seems he's lost his place to Young regardless. Helguson has a groin injury as well but looks likely to only make the bench with Boothroyd leading the line. Traore suffered a thigh injury last Monday and will be assessed nearer the time but for now I'm expecting him to make it.
Predicted QPR Lineup:
Kenny, Young, Hall, Ferdinand, Traore; Derry, Faurlin, Barton, Wright-Phillips, Taarabt; Boothroyd.
The Betting Verdict
I like the new QPR lineup with SWP and Barton they have two decent players there but I still don't think this is a good match up for QPR.
Wolves know the home from is paramount to their survival chances year on year and also know they can't rely on beating Chelsea and United at home each year to survive. These are the games that McCarthy's side will look to win and although it may not be pretty at homes I fancy Wolves to take the 3 point sin a very close game. Home Win.
Good Luck.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Wolves 1-0 QPR
