English Premier
2011-12-10 - Liverpool vs QPR
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 10 December 2011 - Kick Off 3pm
Liverpool
Kenny Dalglish would most likely love to concentrate on his team, but instead has to be asked a number of questions as to the conduct of striker Luis Suarez who was in the papers for allegedly swearing at the Fulham faithful. Dalglish is trying to create a siege mentality at Anfield as he feels decisions are going against his side, but they have to improve at home if they are to make a serious effort of reaching the top 4.
Liverpool dropped a place to 7th in the Premier League last week following their loss at Craven Cottage, although they are still in touch with Chelsea in 4th place, sitting 5 points behind the Blues. They have been fairly good away from home, but are only 2-5-0 at Anfield, scoring 9 goals and conceding 6.
While home draws with Manchester United and Manchester City are not bad, others against Sunderland, Swansea and Norwich City are less impressive for a side wishing to reach the Champions League. The loss at Fulham was their first in 12 games in all competitions, although they have drawn their last 4 League games at Anfield. Liverpool have not won at home since the end of September.
Kenny Dalglish has a slight selection headache when it comes to his midfield as Lucas is ruled out for the rest of the season, while Jay Spearing is serving the first of a 3 game suspension after being sent off last Monday. Steven Gerrard remains sidelined so the likes of Maxi and Stewart Downing will be pushing for a start.
QPR
QPR have made a decent start to life in the Premier League as they look to get themselves in good position before they can bring in reinforcements in the January transfer window. Neil Warnock is getting the best out of his side, although they are still beset with some of the inconsistencies that has blighted promoted teams in their first season in the top flight.
Rangers are 12th in the Premier League following their 1-1 draw with West Brom at Loftus Road last week. They have found themselves compiling a 3-0-4 record away from home, scoring 9 goals and conceding 15. The team are one of the highest conceding defences away from home in the League, although that has been made worse by the 6-0 loss at Fulham.
The team have won 1 of their last 5 games in the Premier League, losing 3 of those games. They come into their trip to Anfield having lost 3 of their last 4 away games in the League, and they have conceded at least 2 goals in each of those games.
Paddy Kenny will miss out for QPR in this game and he could be a big loss for the side who have relied on the goalkeeper to keep them in games. It seems Neil Warnock will play the same XI that earned the draw with West Brom last week.
Head to Head
These two teams last met in the 1995/96 Premier League season with Liverpool winning both games by 1 goal.
Liverpool had won 4 of their last 5 games at Anfield against QPR.
Prediction
There is no doubt for anyone connected with Liverpool football club that they need to start turning the draws into wins at Anfield if they have serious ambitions of finishing in the top 4.
They have created many chances in the games they have drawn and were perhaps a little unfortunate not to have earned more wins, particularly in games against Manchester United and Norwich City, but Liverpool are not finding the free-scoring to put teams away. That is telling from the fact they have not scored more than 1 goal in any of their last 4 League games at Anfield.
QPR have been up and down in their away games all season, but will be able to play with the freedom that comes with a lack of expectation from this game. They will have noticed that sides like Sunderland, Norwich and Swansea have earned draws here and also the fact that Wolves pushed Liverpool in a close loss and that should inspire Neil Warnock to get the best out of his side.
Liverpool look a little short considering their struggles to turn draws into wins so far this season, especially at Anfield, but I do think they will do enough to win the game. However, I think taking QPR with a 1.5 goal headstart at odds against should be able to give us some run and that will be my selection here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Liverpool 2-1 QPR
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back QPR + 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.00
