QPR vs Wigan Betting Pick | English Premier

English Premier

2012-01-21 - QPR vs Wigan

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

QPR v Wigan
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 21 January 2012 - Kick Off 3pm

QPR

Mark Hughes has started his career as the manager of QPR with one win and one loss, scoring one goal and conceding one goal as he looks to stamp his authority on a side that has slipped into the relegation zone. QPR continue to be linked with a host of new faces in the January transfer window, although they have not been to able to bring anyone in in time for this game on Saturday.

QPR are 18th in the Premier League thanks to a Blackburn Rovers win over Fulham last Saturday, although they have only fallen into this place due to an inferior goal difference. The team have struggled mightily at Loftus Road this season, compiling a 1-4-5 record while scoring just 9 goals and conceding 17. Only Bolton Wanderers have picked up less points at home so far this season.

Rangers had failed to win in 10 games in all competitions before a 1-0 win over the MK Dons on Tuesday night secured their passage into a 4th Round meeting with Chelsea in the FA Cup. In fact, QPR have not won any of their last 9 Premier League games since beating Stoke City 2-3 at the Brittania Stadium. Goals have been a serious problem for them as they have failed to score more than 1 goal in 10 of their last 11 games, while they have also lost their last 3 home games in the League.

Danny Gabbidon scored the winner for the team against the MK Dons on Tuesday, but he will need to pass a fitness test to take part in this game. Adel Taraabt is at the African Cup of Nations, but Joey Barton has returned from suspension and is expected to start.

Wigan

Roberto Martinez must get a little irritated when his team are continuously praised for their attractive style of play while they are not always getting the points they perhaps deserve. The Spaniard has said he is happy if the team keep playing well as they will eventually get what they deserve, but they don't want to leave it too late as they look to move off the bottom of the table.

Recent positive results for Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers have left Wigan bottom of the pile with 15 points gained from their opening 21 games. However, this is no time to panic as they remain in touch with the sides above them, and know a win could see them out of the relegation zone and definitely off the bottom. Wigan are 2-2-6 away from home this season, scoring just 8 goals and conceding 21, making them the second lowest away scorers so far.

The Latics put in a decent performance against Manchester City at home on Monday night, but they fell to a 0-1 loss, their 4th defeat in their last 5 games in all competitions and also extending their run to 7 without a win. Wigan have actually picked up 7 points from their last 4 away games in the League, and their only loss in that time came at Manchester United.

Roberto Martinez has no new injury issues since the Monday night loss to City and he could opt to play the same starting XI this time.

Head to Head

QPR and Wigan have only ever met 7 times in competitive football, all of those games taking place in the last 10 years.

Both sides have won 2 of those games, while the other 3 have seen the sides share the points.

They last played at Loftus Road in the 2004/05 season with QPR winning that game 1-0. Wigan have also won 1 and drawn 1 in visits to this ground.

Wigan beat QPR 2-0 at home earlier this season thanks to 2 deflected Franco di Santo efforts.

Prediction

This game could end up in any of the 3 possible results and I don't think I would be that surprised.

QPR have really been struggling for goals so it is no surprise they are being linked with moves for the likes of Bobby Zamora in the transfer window, while Wigan are not the most free-scoring side themselves.

The Latics should have confidence from their last 4 away games in the Premier League as they have gained 2 wins and 1 draw from them and Roberto Martinez must feel his side can get a result here.

There should be a lot of pressure involved in this game as the loser would find themselves in desperate trouble, particularly if Wigan are the ones who fail to pick up any points. That might make this a tight affair with teams not wanting to make mistakes, while neither side have been able to find the net with any regularity this season.

With all that being said, I can see this being a game that ends with 2 or less goals scored. I did consider picking the option that 'Both Teams do NOT score', as that has been a popular ending to games between the teams, but instead I will play the Under.

The Statistics :

QPR LAST SIX HOME FORM
	DATE	RESULT		OPPOSITION
	2012-01-02	L	1-2	H v Norwich
	2011-12-21	L	2-3	H v Sunderland
	2011-12-18	L	0-2	H v Man_Utd
	2011-12-03	D	1-1	H v WBA
	2011-11-05	L	2-3	H v Man_City
	2011-10-23	W	1-0	H v Chelsea

WIGAN LAST SIX AWAY FORM
	DATE	RESULT		OPPOSITION
	2011-12-31	D	2-2	A v Stoke_City
	2011-12-26	L	5-0	A v Man_Utd
	2011-12-10	W	1-2	A v WBA
	2011-11-26	W	1-2	A v Sunderland
	2011-11-06	L	3-1	A v Wolves
	2011-10-22	L	1-0	A v Newcastle