QPR v Wolves
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 4 February 2012 - Kick Off 3pm

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QPR

It seemed like Mark Hughes had made all the right moves in the transfer market as his new look side to a 0-2 lead at Aston Villa during the week. They couldn't quite finish the job, perhaps being fortunate to even earn a point at the end of the match, but there are signs that QPR can stay in the Premier League this season.

Hughes came in to the club with the sole requirement being Premier League survival and their FA Cup exit against Chelsea last week means they can concentrate fully on this ambition. QPR are 16th in the Premier League at the moment having earned 21 points so far this season, meaning they are 3 points better off than Blackburn Rovers and Wolves in the relegation positions. They are 2-4-5 at Loftus Road this season, scoring 12 goals and conceding 18.

QPR have finally got back to winning ways since Mark Hughes took over as manager, earning back to back ones in the FA Cup and Premier League, but confidence must still be a little short especially after blowing a two goal lead against Villa. They beat Wigan in their last home game, but had lost 4 of their previous 5 League games on this ground.

There are a few injuries in the Rangers squad, although they do have Adel Taraabt back from the African Cup of Nations. Djibril Cisse is expected to continue up front having scored on his debut, while Bobby Zamora is set to make his debut for the club.

Wolves

Mick McCarthy got the 'Steve Kean treatment' from the home fans as banners were unfurled urging the club to remove him as the manager of the club following a timid 0-3 home loss to Liverpool on Tuesday night. The manner of the collapse must be very concerning for the board and management, particularly as they are mired in a relegation dogfight.

Wolves are 19th in the Premier League table and this is a hugely important game for them if they have genuine ambitions of staying up, particularly for McCarthy whose job could rest on the result. They have 18 points and will be aware that a win by a couple of goals would push them above QPR in the table. The team would have to reverse the away record they have compiled this season, going 1-4-6, scoring 9 goals and conceding 20.

The team have lost their last 3 games in all competitions, all at Molineux, and there has to be worries about the fact that they have conceded 3 in their last two League games. Wolves have not won any of their last 11 games in all competitions, although they had drawn 5 of 6 before the 3 consecutive losses. They have actually drawn their last 4 away games in all competitions, including League draws at Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Karl Henry is suspended so will not be reunited with old friend Joey Barton, while Jamie O'Hara is still not quite ready to return to the first team line up. Emmanuel Frimpong had to come off on Tuesday night after making a quicker than expected return to the squad, although he is expected to take part in this one.

Head to Head

Wolves were beaten 0-3 at home by QPR earlier this season in what was a surprise result as they had started off very brightly.

QPR beat Wolves 1-0 here the last time they met in the 2008/09 season, but it has been a rare occurrence for either side to pick up the points when they have met at Loftus Road in recent years.

Both teams have one win apiece in the last 7 League games between them at Loftus Road, the other 5 games ending in a stalemate.

Prediction

Wolves did not look like a team with much belief as they fell apart against Liverpool in their last game, but that was their worst performance in recent weeks, even if the results have not been coming as they maybe could have.

They have shown obvious grittiness and guts to earn draws at Arsenal and Tottenham in the last few weeks and I think they will be very much focused on getting a result here.

QPR have been playing better under Hughes, but they will still be settling men into their side and they haven't been scoring enough goals to warrant being odds on to beat any team other than Wigan in the League at the moment.

I was considering picking Wolves to avoid defeat here at the odds, but recent history has shown that these two teams do share the points more often than not and I think the draw could be worth chancing, a result that probably wouldn't upset either manager too greatly.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

QPR 1-1 Wolves

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll chance the Draw @ 3.80