Taarabt back on song as QPR are title favourites again
Published:The form and performances of Adel Taarabt could prove the difference between whether QPR win the Championship or not and the Moroccan was back near his best in the win over Preston.
QPR have been made the favourites at 6/4 to win the Championship again after claiming a routine 3-1 home success, which arrives on the back of a disappointing stretch of form.
Goals had proved the problem of late as QPR had managed just six goals in their previous seven games, which had resulted in six draws and a single league win in this period.
Meanwhile, the likes of Taarabt and Jamie Mackie have struggled to retain their blistering early season form of late, after both had been hugely responsible for the start which saw them win eight of their opening nine games.
But Taarabt in particular proved the major difference against Preston, not least for his two-goal contribution.
The 21-year-old is clearly a talent with the ball at his feet and when he is given the opportunity to run at defenders.
Yet manager Neil Warnock was equally impressed with Taarabt’s additional workrate off the ball against Preston.
He said: “They were two excellent goals. He’s trying his hardest to do what I want him to do when we lose the ball. I’ve got nothing but praise for him.
“His overall contribution was excellent.”
QPR were also aided in their return to favouritism by Cardiff, who are now second in the standings after a largely unexpected home defeat against Nottingham Forest.
However, assistant manager Terry Burton thought that there was no let up in the performance by Cardiff and instead it was just that they had a bad day in front of goal, missing some good chances.
Cardiff are now two points behind QPR at the head of the Championship standings, but remain 2/1 to win the title. See the full Championship winners football betting odds market.
