West Bromwich Albion vs Queens Park Rangers
We were happy to go against QPR on Monday night when they hosted West Ham but there are a few reasons to believe they may just offer a bit of value when travelling to the Midlands to take on West Brom at The Hawthorns.
(Adel Taarabt loves Allah & we'll love Taarabt if he helps QPR beat West Brom)
Steve Clarke's men have been getting plenty of plaudits for their good start to he season but they have run into a few opponents who just haven't performed in their early games especially Merseyside duo Liverpool & Everton who both threw in very poor displays against the Baggies & they've also been lucky enough to face a clueless Reading side. Those three home games have accounted for all of West Brom's wins but that is three more than QPR who remain winless yet Mark Hughes seems to genuinely have the support of the club as he continues to work to bed down his multitude of new players. That faith in Mark Hughes inside the club whilst many outside question his position & the results could just help to create a siege mentality amongst his players & he has plenty who could prove effective if they can just learn to function as a team. Zamora & Cisse provide such a physical presence up front & have formed a real partnership with one dropping off when the other moves forward & we could see the mercurial Adel Taarabt make a start after his stunning strike brought Rangers back into the game on Monday night.
QPR still have problems at the back but it looks possible that Fabio, Anton Ferdinand & Jose Bosingwa could all return for Saturday's game & that would make them a bit quicker going down the wings plus although he isn't the greatest player Ferdinand will provide some much needed leadership at the back. West Brom have a boost with Peter Odewingie available after his silly suspension but he mightn't get straight back in with Long & Lukaku having done reasonably well so far, we could see there being an atmosphere in the dressing room whatever decision is made there & creates a little bit of risk for the manager. Captain Chris Brunt is out for West Brom & also right back Billy Jones as they both went off injured in the derby game against Villa. West Brom were second best against Villa even though they took the lead & it might be that they are running out of steam a little bit after a good start, even though QPR had the worst away record in the league last year we think they offer value here at odds of 100/30.
Oxford United vs Gillingham
Gillingham lost their unbeaten record last weekend but have been 100% on the road & overall have 8 wins from their first 10 in the league, here they travel to take on Oxford who have form that is a little more mixed with 4 wins & 6 losses, those 6 defeats were all in a row & only stopped when beating disappointing AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.
(Matt Fish has been in good form for a well-balanced Gillingham side this season)
Gillingham just seem to be really rolling with Danny Kedwell in the form of his life since being made captain & the signing at the other end of the pitch of Stuart Nelson has helped shore things up at the back. Not many would have predicted Deon Burton would have proved a success after two years in Azerbaijan but he's come back & found the net 4 times showing that even at 35 he can still just about cut it at this level & all of his goals have come in different games which is something we like to see rather than scoring in bunches. The Gills have only conceded 7 so far & Joe Martin & Matt Fish have been really impressive at the full back positions working hard & supporting in attack.
Oxford have just lacked a bit of resilience at times & their forwards Dean Smalley & Tom Craddock aren't likely to strike fear into the Gillingham defence, they have got a bright spark in Alfie Potter though he's got 4 so far this season after returning from a broken ankle. Oxford do have injury problems though with keeper Wayne Brown coming off injured in midweek & Michael Raynes & Lee Cox also substituted. Gillingham will be without suspended duo Danny Jackman & Charlie Allen but have players to cover & getting odds against for them to win here looks a steal. Back Gillingham to prevail at 8/5 with William Hill, we think the Gills are a fair bit superior actually so odds of 25/1 for a 3-0 win are also worth a small wager.
Selections:
Queens Park Rangers to beat West Bromwich Albion at 100/30 (Totesport & Betfred)
Gillingham to beat Oxford United at 8/5 (William Hill)
Gillingham to win 3-0 at 25/1 (Coral & William Hill)
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