Queens Park Rangers - Wrexham, English Division 2
2004-03-16 20.45 CET
Pick: QPR
Stake: 3%
Odds: 1,65
Final reason for bet
· QPR is the best home team in the league.
· QPR played very good during lastweekend.
· QPR can continue with a winning line up.
· Wrexham has lost three straight games playing on the road with the goal difference 1-13.
General comment about the game
Promotion hopefuls Queens Park Rangers will be visited by Wrexham in one of tonight’s matches in English division 2. QPR is currently in third place two points behind the much desired second spot that will mean direct promotion. They also have the advantage of one less match played than second placed Bristol City so they have it all in their own hands. That must be good to know when reaching the closing stages of the season. QPR is the best home team in the league having won 13 times on 18 attempts and no defeats. Last game was during the weekend away to promotion candidates Hartlepool. QPR put up a very solid display and outclassed the host in the second half by scoring four goals. As it turned out the victory was very well deserved but to be fair against Hartlepool a little bit too big. Hartlepool also managed to score a late consolation goal. QPR will most likely continue with the same starting line up as in that game meaning that defender Gino Padula (33 apps, 3 goals) and midfielder Gareth Ainsworth (14(8) apps, 6 goals) is still missing through injuries. Ainsworth has not been present since early December and Padula’s last game was against Oldham in the beginning of March. Against Hartlepool Padula was excellent replaced by Matthew Rose (8(3) apps, 0 goals). New signing, young goalkeeper Lee Camp will also be trusted again after his fine performance in last game. QPR’s other three keepers are all injured. They will also miss fringe player Richard Edghill (7(4) apps, 0 goals).
Wrexham currently resides in 10th place in the league. They have been chasing a playoff spot all season but now it seems like that opportunity has vanished. Their promotion bid was much due to their former impressive away record. They are still fifth in the away table but they have now three consecutive defeats. The two latest has been devastating defeats; 6-1 against struggling Peterborough and 6-0 against Bournemouth. Manager Denis Smith is obviously very concerned about this awful development lately. Especially after the latest game against Peterborough who he classes not as good team as Bournemouth. And also, in the Bournemouth game they were down to ten men and most goals came in the end. And against Peterborough they were 1-0 up, but what were the team and especially the defence doing after that? On the positive side is that the Wrexham squad will be boosted by the return of centre half Brian Carey (28(2) apps, 2 goals) and midfielder Steve Roberts (14(3) apps, 0 goals). Both have been suspended and will be available again for the trip to London. However, first choice goalkeeper Andy Dibble is out and will be replaced by new signing Michael Ingham from Sunderland. Midfielder Paul Barrett (13(6) apps, 1 goal) is rated doubtful because of a bad back.
We believe that QPR after last weekend superb performance against Hartlepool will continue to win in order to strengthen their promotion bid. They are a very strong home team and Wrexham must be really scared to playing on the road after their awful performances lately. Medium stake, 3% is suggested.
Recent games for home team
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2004-03-13 |
Hartlepool-QPR |
1-4 |
|
2004-03-06 |
QPR-Oldham |
1-1 |
|
2004-03-02 |
QPR-Port Vale |
3-2 |
|
2004-02-20 |
QPR-Peterborough |
1-1 |
|
2004-02-14 |
Brentford-QPR |
1-1 |
Recent games for away team
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2004-03-13 |
Peterborough-Wrexham |
6-1 |
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2004-03-06 |
Wrexham-Grimsby |
3-0 |
|
2004-02-28 |
Wrexham-Rushden&Diamonds |
1-1 |
|
2004-02-24 |
Bournemouth-Wrexham |
6-0 |
|
2004-02-21 |
Bristol C-Wrexham |
1-0 |
Home table
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QPR |
18 |
13 |
5 |
0 |
39-10 |
44 |
Away table
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Wrexham |
17 |
8 |
0 |
9 |
20-31 |
24 |
Links for this game
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// SportsObserver 040316
