It was another sobering away defeat for Harry Redknapp and his Queens Park Rangers players on Monday, as Everton won 3-1. It means they have now lost all eight away games in the Premier League this season – conceding 20 goals and scoring only three in the process. Redknapp has pointed to the fact that the majority of their games on their travels have been against sides who finished in the top 12 last season’s but they need to produce more and cut out the errors which have plagued them. Their home form read’s much better, however, and they’re currently on a run of four games unbeaten at Loftus Road, winning three of them.
West Brom – and Alan Irvine – breathed a huge sigh of relief last week when the final whistle went to give them a 1-0 win over local rivals Aston Villa. Having went five games without a win in the league, the Baggies recorded a vital three points and alleviated some of the pressure that was building on their manager. They were helped by the visitors being controversially reduced to 10 men but that’s unlikely to make any difference with how it’s viewed by anyone at West Brom. They travel to London having already won in the capital this season, defeating Spurs back in September. Their only other away victory was against another of the promoted sides and if they can repeat that trick this weekend it would be another hugely welcome three points ahead of Christmas.
Although they managed to find the net for only the third time of their travels with a consolation in the defeat to Everton, QPR looked rather toothless for much of the game without Charlie Austin leading the line. He’s not only the club’s top scorer but he’s also currently the top scoring Englishman in the Premier League with eight goals. He’s scored four goals in his last three home games so his return will be a massive boost to their hopes of another home win.
Irvine has rotated his squad in the last couple of games as he looks to find the winning formula and that has included dropping Saido Berahino. Although he’s by some way the top scorer at Albion he can be inconsistent – as mentioned in last week’s preview – and with so much football to play over the Christmas period it’s understandable. The other forwards do have to step up, though – just one other player has scored two or more league goals and he’s a central defender!
Three points separate these sides heading into Saturday’s game which indicates how close it’s likely to be. Although West Brom managed to break their run of games without a win they did so in unconvincing style. QPR are a different proposition at home and I fancy them to sneak another win here, especially with the return of Austin from suspension.
QPR 29/20 @ Bet365
