Blackburn Rovers v QPR
Football : English Premier League
Saturday 11 February 2012 - Kick Off 3pm

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Blackburn Rovers

Steve Kean is back under immense pressure as his Blackburn Rovers side capitulated in the worst way at the Emirates Stadium last season in a 7-1 loss to Arsenal. The fact of the matter is that they were level at 1-1 before falling apart, and that is not the battling qualities that they have been displaying in recent weeks. The on-going issue with Chris Samba is not helping and there could be another outpouring of anger at Ewood Park on Saturday if they do not pick up a result here.

The bottom line is that there are 14 Premier League games to play for Rovers and they are currently 19th in the table and are 3 points from Wolves in the final position of safety. The team had a healthy goal difference compared to their rivals until last weekend, which increases the pressure on the them. Rovers are 3-0-9 at Ewood Park this season, scoring 16 goals and conceding 24, giving them the most home defeats in the League.

Blackburn have now lost 4 of their last 6 games in all competitions and they continue conceding far too many goals which makes it difficult to earn points. A lot of their better results have come away from home, with Rovers now losing 4 of their last 5 League games here, conceding at least 2 goals in each of those losses. The team created a hatful of chances in their last home game, but fell to a 0-2 loss to Newcastle United.

With chances being created, Steve Kean will feel Blackburn can get out of trouble, and they will be boosted by the return of Yakubu from a three match suspension. Gael Givet is out after being sent-off at Arsenal last week, while Chris Samba is expected to be absent with Kean suggesting his mind is not on the task at hand at present.

QPR

There were a lot of positives at Loftus Road as Mark Hughes had spent some cash and the team had secured a couple of big results in the League to start moving away from the relegation zone. When they went 1-0 up at home to Wolves last week, everything seemed to be going to plan, but Djibril Cisse's sending off changed the direction of that game and the team is under pressure again.

QPR are 16th in the table having earned 21 points so far this season, but that means they are only 1 point better off than Bolton Wanderers in the final relegation spot. The game at Blackburn is clearly a 'relegation six-pointer' with games running out fast, and I think QPR may be pleased they are playing away from home. That is down to the fact that they have picked up more away points than at Loftus Road, compiling a 3-2-7 record, scoring 12 goals and conceding 21.

Rangers had picked up 4 points from two Premier League games before that defeat to Wolves last week has let out some of the air of confidence in the side. The team have been struggling in recent weeks, picking up just 2 points from their last 21 available away from home in the League, although they did hold a 0-2 lead at Aston Villa last time out.

Injuries are really taking their toll on this squad, particularly up front where Heidar Helguson and DJ Campbell are ruled out and Cisse is suspended. Jay Bothroyd, Danny Gabbidon and Akos Buzsaky are doubts, while Luke Young is out.

Head to Head

These two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road earlier this season as both sides got on the scoresheet within the first 24 minutes of the game.

Blackburn Rovers beat Rangers 1-0 here last season in the FA Cup.

Rovers have beaten QPR in their last two visits to Ewood Park, although both of those came in the FA Cup, and this will be the first League meeting here since a 0-0 draw in the 2000/01 season.

Prediction

Blackburn Rovers were thumped at Arsenal last week and it is going to be key to their chances of surviving that they quickly remove that from their memories and get on task with this game. It is vitally important to Steve Kean and his team that they do not lose this game, while I also think there is some pressure to perhaps even push on and try and grab all 3 points.

Aside from the Arsenal game, Blackburn have been competitive recently, although they have missed the presence of Yakubu with goals being hard to come by despite the number of chances they have been creating.

They continue to concede goals at an alarming rate and it has to be a concern to the supporters if Chris Samba is not going to be used for the rest of the season.

QPR must have been feeling very good about themselves after picking up 4 points from two League games and then taking the 1-0 lead over fellow strugglers Wolves last week, but they now have an increased amount of pressure having lost that game.

Cisse's absence will be a blow after he had made a positive start to his career at Loftus Road, but Bobby Zamora continues to provide a goal threat that had been lacking before the January transfer window. Adel Taraabt was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet last week and he continues to be an enigma that has the potential to win a game.

With both teams having a few injuries and defensive problems to get through, I think there are enough players who are expected to take the field that can score goals from the chances that are surely going to be arriving in this game.

I'll go with the 'Overs' in this one.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Blackburn Rovers 2-1 QPR

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Over 2.75 Goals @ 2.18 (188Bet)