English Premier
2012-04-08 - Manchester United vs QPR
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 8 April 2012 - Kick Off 1:30pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson was proud of the fans on Monday night for helping his side continue their late surges that led to a 0-2 win at Blackburn Rovers and gave Manchester United a nice cushion at the top of the Premier League. He would have focused his side on getting another three points here and really putting the pressure on Manchester City ahead of their trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal.
Manchester United are now 5 points clear of local rivals City in the race for the Premier League title, a really surprising position with 7 games left to play. They will be looking to extend that lead by another three points in this game as they bring a 12-1-2 record from games at Old Trafford. United have scored 40 goals and conceded 15 in those 15 League games at this famous old stadium.
The team were clearly outclassed in Europe in both the Champions League and Europa League this season, but they continue churning out the results in the Premier League. The win at Ewood Park means United have won 10 of their last 11 League games, including the last 7 in a row. They have won their last 5 home games in the League, although they were a little nervy when beating Fulham 1-0 in their last game at Old Trafford.
Nani has returned to the squad meaning only the long-term absentees Nemanja Vidic, Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Michael Owen are missing. There will be some changes made to the side to keep them fresh, with the likes of Danny Welbeck and Ashley Young hoping to return to the first team.
QPR
QPR looked to be in a desperate state last week as Wigan Athletic beat Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers were winning at Wolves, but they pulled off a big win against Arsenal at Loftus Road to give them a fighting chance of survival. It will be interesting to see how they approach this game considering they have a more important, and more winnable, game against Swansea at home on Wednesday.
Manchester United assisted QPR in moving out of the relegation zone last weekend as their 0-2 win at Blackburn means Rangers are in 17th place in the Premier League table on goal difference. There could be a huge change at the bottom of the table depending on results on Saturday, but QPR will still be in touching distance of safety regardless. Rangers have a 3-2-10 record away from home, scoring 16 goals and conceding 29, and no team has lost more away games than them this season.
QPR have won 2 of their last 3 games in the Premier League, both in surprising fashion against Liverpool and Arsenal and both at Loftus Road. They have failed to win any of their last 10 away games in all competitions, and they have lost their last 3 away from home in the Premier League. Rangers have conceded at least 2 goals in each of their last 4 away games in the League.
Fitz Hall could return to the squad this week, while Armand Traore is a doubt with a hamstring issue. Both Heidar Helguson and DJ Campbell have returned to training but could be left out in anticipation for the game against Swansea. Djibril Cisse remains suspended.
Head to Head
Manchester United were comfortable 0-2 winners at Loftus Road earlier this season, and could have won by a far wider margin in a game they dominated.
They last met here in the Carling Cup during the 2008/09 season when United came out on top 1-0.
Manchester United have won the last 5 home games against QPR in all competitions.
Prediction
No surprises that the layers have priced Manchester United as the short priced favourites to win this game and I can't really argue with that considering the forms of the sides coming into the game. QPR could also very easily be looking ahead to the game against Swansea at home on Wednesday night as a much more winnable contest.
Rangers will not want to roll over and take a heavy loss as they currently have the best goal difference of all the sides in the bottom 5 and relegation could very easily get down to that category with how tight everything is in the race to avoid the drop.
The problem for QPR is that they have been conceding far too many goals on their travels at the moment, while they look a little short of options going forward in this one. They have conceded 10 goals in their last 4 away games and will likely be on the back foot for much of this contest as United look to wipe out the final semblance of control Manchester City have in the Premier League table.
United are currently 1 goal behind Manchester City in the goal difference department and Sir Alex Ferguson will expect his side to get a few here if possible and wipe out that advantage, while also raising the stakes on City.
It's a tough game to find a great angle, but I think backing United to win the game with either 3 or 4 total goals scored at 2.60 offered by Paddy Power looks the most reasonable way to approach the game. I can see United getting up to 3 goals, as other teams Rangers have faced recently have managed, as QPR have not defended so well away from home and may be looking at the Swansea game instead.
I expect QPR will be set out to defend for most of the game, but United are in rampant form and should have the peace of mind to let the chances come as City will be playing later in the day.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 3-0 QPR
