QPR v Everton
It’s getting desperate for QPR at the bottom of the table and they will be up against an inform Everton side as they push for the points that they hope will help them to safety.
Mark Hughes was brought into the club in January in the hope that his introduction would be the catalyst for a second half revival at Loftus Road. That, however, has not quite been the case and they sit perilously close to the relegation places, just above third bottom Blackburn on goal difference. The influx of new players has failed to pay off as yet, causing more disruption than anything else. Djibril Cisse, Bobby Zamora and Taye Taiwo came with big reputations during the transfer window but they have failed to impress as yet. Rangers have not won a match since the middle of January where they get the better of another side at the foot of the table – Wigan. Since that game they have played five and managed just a point from that run, admittedly one game was in the FA Cup. The last couple of games have been worrying due to the attitude shown by certain players. 3-0 down to Blackburn early on before they could muster a very late response to make the scoreline look respectable was followed by a drab 1-0 defeat at home to Fulham after losing a man to a sending off for the second home game on the trot.
Everton are at the opposite end of the form table at the moment as they are enjoying the best run of their season. Four wins from their last five and seven games undefeated in all competitions has seen them qualify for the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup and climb into the top half of the Premier League. Their run of good form has included wins over Man City and Chelsea without conceding which will please Davie Moyes as he places a great emphasis on making his team hard to beat. Moyes was also busy in January and managed to pull off a couple of shrewd signings. Nikica Jelavic was brought in for good money from Rangers whilst Steven Pienaar returned to the club on loan from Tottenham. The latter has slotted in seamlessly whilst Jelavic is just finding fitness after a couple of injuries. Tomorrow’s match will be another test for the Toffee’s though, as they will be looking for their first win on the road in the Premier League since New Year’s Day.
Due to being sent off in the two previous home games. Cisse and Samba Diakite will be missing for tomorrow’s match. It should mean that Zamora will lead the line and his experience will be vital for his new club’s survival. Hughes obviously knows the striker and get’s one with him after his time at Fulham and will be expecting the English Internationalist to repay his transfer fee with more goals.
Everton may well bring Jelavic into the team after his injury but the likelihood is that he will begin on the bench. Another January signing, Darron Gibson, will be missing from injury so Jack Rodwell could come back in after missing out of late.
QPR have won just twice at home all season and just once this year. It’s an area which needs addressed straightaway if they want to stay up. Everton’s away form is sold if unspectacular but they are hard to beat and have lost just once of their last five.
Everton may not win too many games away from home but they have not lost many recently either. They are certainly the form team heading into the fixture and QPR have shown very little of late. I would err on the side of caution with this one and take the away side on the ‘draw no bet’ market.
My Selection: Everton to beat QPR (Draw no Bet)
Best odds available: 8/11 available with Skybet
