LFW resident pundit Andy Hillman and professional odds compiler Owen Goulding return to preview a weekend of football action, and QPR’s home game with Barnsley.

Andy Hillman

Another couple of winners for me last week to keep me ticking over nicely, however it was one in the eye for me with the Aston Villa vs City game, backing Man City to win to nil, and suggesting Man City to win with a -1 handicap, only to see them lose 3-2. Man City are very much on the ‘do not bet’ list at present until Pellegrini can sort that rabble out...

NAP of the week: Arsenal to beat West Brom @ 4/5

Always back the side that’s streaking — and Arsenal are definitely streaking at the moment. Since their opening day defeat to Villa, they seem to have won 57 games on the bounce or something like that, and you have to fancy them the keep that up against West Brom. West Brom may have beaten Man Utd last weekend (and we all laughed like drains...) but that was very much the exception as opposed to the rule.

QPR related bet: QPR to win to nil @ 33/20

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, and whisper it quietly, but QPR seem to win quite a few of their games to nil this season. On top of that, QPR have an Indian sign over Barnsley, and it’s pretty much mathematically impossible for us to not beat them. In fact, we haven’t lost any of the last 21 league games at home against Barnsley. Normally this sort of nonsense is a set up for a spectacular fall, but not this time. Back us to win at 9/20 in your accumulator too...

More ‘Bolton to win the league’ Mockery — Birmingham to beat Bolton @ 7/5

Bolton, Clive and I’s tip for the league title, are now P10, W0, D5, L5, and sit 23rd. Keep lulling Bolton, keep lulling! They’re travelling to a Birmingham side evoking the schizophrenic Peterborough sides that we all know and love. Birmingham have scored 11 goals in their last three home games, winning all three, and have signed Jesse Lingard from Man U who has scored five in his two league games for them. Birmingham at home, at odds against Bolton is worth a punt.

Past winners:

NAP of the Week - Forest to beat Huddersfield @ 5/6 — 02/08/13

NAP of the Week - Bordeaux vs Monaco - Monaco to win @ 6/4, 09/08/13

NAP of the week: Monaco to Beat Montpellier @ 4/7, 15/08/13

NAP of the week: Man City to win to nil @ 20/23 — 29/08/13

NAP of the week 2 - Man Utd vs Palace - Utd to win to nil @ 21/20 — 13/09/13

NAP of the week 3 - Sunderland vs Arsenal - Arsenal to win @ 8/11 — 13/09/13

QPR Related bet: QPR vs Birmingham - QPR win @ 3/5 — 13/09/13

Giroud and Sturridge to score anytime double 6/1 — 13/09/13

QPR to win at Yeovil @ 11/13 — 20/09/13

NAP of the week — Blackpool vs Leicester — BTTS @ 7/9 — 20/09/13

NAP of the Week - Liverpool to beat Sunderland @ 7/10 — 27/09/13

Roma vs Bologna - Roma win to Nil @ 7/5 — 27/09/13

The Pro

QPR take on Barnsley in an early season top v bottom clash. Barnsley currently prop up the division, taking only five points from the available 30 so far this season. Those five points were all gained at home - the Tykes have lost every game away from home this season. QPR on the other hand have only dropped two points at home so far this term and as such, anyone looking for any kind of backable price on a home win will not be surprised to see that QPR are the shortest price team on the entire Football League coupon this weekend. At a best priced 4/9, you won’t be making yourself rich backing QPR here.

So it’s into the goal scorer market we enter again. After having some success with Joey Barton last week, I'm returning to a more likely source of a goal for my bet of the weekend. Charlie Austin seems to be getting better as every week passes and with the supply line from Kranjcar- a player playing in a league below that of which he should be - added to the equation, and Barnsley's inability to defend - they have conceded 25 goals already this season, by far the most in the division - the price on Austin to score at any time during the game at Betfred of Evens seems a great way of doubling your money. With a likely centre-half pairing of ex-Hoops Ramage and Cranie, the mobility and strength of Austin should cause them all sorts of trouble - similar style strikers such as Troy Deeney and David Nugent have given them the run-around in recent weeks and I expect Austin to add to his tally this weekend. Just a word of caution though - although I expect a QPR win here, Barnsley have definitely improved in recent weeks so don't expect it to be a walk in the park.

Bet of the weekend - Charlie Austin to score anytime Evens (Betfred)

Previous Winners:

Benteke to score at any time v Arsenal at 11/4 (Coral/Skybet), 17/08/13

Nile Ranger First Goalscorer Each Way 11/2 (Paady Power/Skybet), 28/08/13

QPR to score first v Leeds at Even money (Bwin/Betfair), 28/08/13

Joey Barton to score at any time vs Middlesbrough 4/1 (William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfred, Skybet), 27/09/13

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