Our three pundits return to look ahead to QPR’s trip to Man City and a weekend of sporting action.
One of the best ever weeks for the LFW Betting column last week as all three pundits landed winners on the Norwich v QPR fixture and Andy backed that up with successfully profiting from Spurs’ demise and pulling one of his doubles from a three game draw multiple. Let’s see what Andy, Brian, and professional odds compiler Alex Rowe have for us this week.
Winners so far:
NAP - Norwich vs QPR - Both teams to score @ 4/6, 24/8/12
LONGSHOT - Tottenham vs West Brom - Lay Tottenham @ 2/1, 24/8/12
NOTEBOOK - Stoke vs Arsenal, Liverpool vs Man City, draw double, 7/1, 24/07/12
Much better week from me last week - have to admit I had a wry smile on my face when Clive told me that West Brom equalised in injury time for my ‘lay Spurs’ bet to come in, my Norwich vs QPR both teams to score bet was always going to land (annoyingly, I told anyone who would listen that it would finish 1-1, and said so in another betting article elsewhere...) and finally a 7/1 shot on my Arsenal & Man City games to be draws landed on the Sunday. I think that pretty much exhausts my wins for this season already.
NAP - Leicester vs Blackpool - over 2.5 goals at 10/13 (Betfair)
This game is on at the same time as ours on Saturday, and guarantees goals. Frankly both these sides piss goals at both ends like they’re going out of fashion. Blackpool just put six past Ipswich, whereas Leicester shipped four at home against Burton in the cup midweek. This could finish 4-4. It’s blatantly going to finish goal-less, isn’t it?
QPR related Bet - Zamora to score anytime at 11/2 (William Hill)
Cisse may currently be our undisputed number 1 striker, but Zamora has been the better of the two lead strikers so far, scoring back to back against Norwich and erm, Walsall. Cisse is also available at 5/1 to score anytime, but I fancy our Bobby, Terry Butcher bandage and all to continue his run of form.
Longshot - Tottenham vs Norwich - lay Spurs @ 1.4 (Betfair)
Backing Spurs to not win might end up being this year’s backing Van Persie to score first bet, at least until AVB (still hate calling him that...) gets his ideas across. Spurs just look too short to back at around 4/11, and although they are likely to go big in the transfer market (may have already gone big in the transfer market by the time you read this...) I reckon that Grant Holt can turn and fall over his way to a Norwich Draw or better.
One for the Notebook - Roma to beat Inter @ 3/1 (Betfair)
Some of you may know that Roma are my ‘second’ team, therefore backing them is pretty much nailing the coffin for them, but Roma this year are threatening to be an altogether different proposition. Under Zemen they look so much better than the ridiculous ‘BarcaRoma’ of Luis Enrique last year, and in Osvaldo they’ve got a striker that can score, and score spectacularly as well. Inter are a shadow of the all conquering side of a few years ago, and are very beatable.
Winners so far:
NAP - Norwich vs QPR - Both teams to score @ 4/6, 24/8/12
A short column this week due to time constraints and the fact that I spent Wednesday evening watching Channel 4 turn what should have been an upbeat event into the place to go for details about war torn countries. If you thought Lawrenson was negative try Jon Snow.
Nap - Tranmere 21/10
Tranmere entertain Colchester this week and although both are unbeaten in the league the Essex side have yet to win but Rovers have two wins and a draw. The 21/10 for the home win makes for good value.
Longshot - Double Ipswich/Huddersfield & West Ham/Fulham both draws at 12/5
Ipswich took a walloping last Saturday and were dumped out of the cup in midweek. Huddersfield travel to Portman Road without Jordon Rhodes (the strangest transfer of the summer) and a draw is a likely result. At Upton Park West Ham play Fulham I can also see this ending up even.
Winners so far:
Norwich v QPR, 11/10 Under 2.5 goals 24/08/12
Previously advised: Cisse to finish top QPR scorer in Premier League, 9/4 Stan James, 17/08/12
With the week dominated by transfer talk and ‘that Sunday in May’ I’ve been tempted to cancel my Sky subscription and delete Twitter from my phone. All I’m craving at the minute isn’t my beloved side signing a Brazilian or Spanish international… its football, punting and watching QPR which is something I’ll do regardless of the division or signings. I for one was excited when Andy Thomson arrived in 2001.
As it stands I’m lead to believe Cesar won’t be available this weekend which means Green should carry on between the sticks. Whether you rated Green or not prior to the arrival of Julio Cesar you have to admit he looked low on confidence and was a mistake waiting to happen which is why I’m fearing the worst for Saturday. Clint Hill lost his battle with Grant Holt last weekend, Ferdinand is far from the commanding centre back needed and Onuoha never looks comfortable in the heart of defence. Unfortunately I can’t see anything other than a comfortable home win which is why it’s no surprise to see City as short as 1/6 to take all three points.
Punters are creatures of habit so the bookies will no doubt see plenty of business about the 3-2 City win (28/1 Betfred) personally I’d want a much bigger price about us scoring twice.
With the flappable Green and unsure centre backs to protect we could be especially vulnerable from set pieces so I’ll be taking a chance the excellent Vincent Kompany can capitalise in our area at 33/1 first goal (Coral) & 10/1 to score at any time (Ladbrokes).
Elsewhere on the coupon Leicester look too short at home to Blackpool. The Foxes opened with a 2-0 home win over certain strugglers Peterborough and this was followed with poor performances at Blackburn and Charlton, add to that the mid-week embarrassment at home to Burton and the vocal locals are getting restless already. Blackpool are the best counter attacking side in the league with Holloway setting the side up perfectly to get the best out of the excellent wide men Tom Ince and Matt Phillips (Hopefully they’ll still be Blackpool players come Saturday).
The Seasiders have been a good friend to punters over last few seasons as you’re always guaranteed to be on a team who’ll have a real go at landing three points. If you can drag yourself away from watching Man City v QPR, Blackpool (5/2 Boylesports) are setup perfectly for punters to heap more pressure on Nigel Pearson.
As a long shot last week I highlighted Adam Chapman playing a different role for Oxford at a big price. Unfortunately he ran into Plymouth’s Jake Cole between the sticks (yes..the ex Ranger) denying him on two occasions. Still we shouldn’t let a loser get in the way of a value selection so I’m keeping the faith again with Chapman this week at 22/1 first goal and 9/1 anytime (Paddy Power).
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