English Premier
2012-03-31 - QPR vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 31 March 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
QPR
All of the positive feeling from a 3-2 win against Liverpoo at Loftus Road was eroded last weekend as the team slumped to a 3-1 loss at Sunderland. It was such a poor performance that Tony Fernandes, the owner, took to Twitter to lament some of the players as their bid for survival in the Premier League took a turn for the worse.
The defeat at Sunderland was coupled with Bolton Wanderer's win over Blackburn Rovers and has sent QPR back into the relegation zone, while Wigan Athletic closed the gap to goal difference on Rangers. QPR can move out of the relegation zone with a 2 goal win, although they are just 3-5-7 at home so far this season. The team have scored 17 goals and conceded 24 in their 15 home League games this season.
QPR have won just 1 of their last 8 Premier League games, that coming against Liverpool from 0-2 down to win 3-2. However, those positives were erased with that 3-1 loss to Sunderland, although they will feel better that they haven't loss any of their last 2 home games in the League. Rangers have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10 home games in the Premier League.
Djibril Cisse has not helped his teammates out in any way by being sent off last week and is suspended for the first of four games. Clint Hill and Fitz Hall should be available, but Heidar Helguson and Armand Traore are both missing.
Arsenal
Arsenal have been in a magnificent vein of form in recent weeks, but Arsene Wenger has made it clear that his side cannot just sit back and pat themselves on the back for a job well done. Instead, he wants them to push on and make sure they finish in 3rd place in the Premier League.
The Gunners hold that position at the moment from Tottenham Hotspur, holding a 3 point lead over their local rivals. They are also 8 points clear of Chelsea and Newcastle United in their bid to ensure Champions League football returns to the Emirates next season. Arsenal are 7-2-6 away from home this season, scoring 27 goals and conceding 27.
They have won 6 games in a row in all competitions since back to back defeats at Milan and Sunderland and they just seem to be getting the rub of the green in recent games. Arsenal are actually unbeaten in their last 4 away games in the Premier League, winning 3 in a row at Sunderland, Liverpool and Everton.
After an early spate of injuries, things are beginning to clear up for Arsenal who will be missing Per Mertesacker and long-term absentees Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshire.
Head to Head
Arsenal beat QPR 1-0 at home earlier this season courtesy of a Robin Van Persie goal.
QPR last hosted Arsenal here in the 2001 FA Cup, losing 0-6 that day.
Rangers are unbeaten in their last 5 home games in the League against Arsenal, although 4 of those ended in draws.
Prediction
This is a tough game for QPR against a rampant Arsenal team, but they must feel they can get something from this game considering Arsenal have not been as solid away from home as they have been at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Rangers must be a little short of confidence themselves and they now miss a big piece of their attack with Djibril Cisse suspended. They did really well to come back and beat Liverpool when trailing by 2 goals at home and then coming back and winning 3-2 with goals in the final 13 minutes, but a confident Arsenal is a different test.
The Gunners look a little short in the win-draw-win market, but they are finding goals from outside of Robin Van Persie and there may be something in backing them with a little bit of room to spare. Only 2 of their 7 away wins this season have come by more than 1 goal, but they could easily take advantage of a QPR team that may have the fans turn on them if they fall behind early.
Arsenal are beginning to score goals freely and I expect they will get at least 2 here. They have been defending better in recent games than they have for most of the season, mainly thanks to avoiding injuries and playing a consistent team, and I think the price looks a little tempting for Arsenal to win this one by a couple of goals at least.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
QPR 0-2 Arsenal
