Southampton v QPR: Stalemate the best bottom club can hope for
Published:Although the last renewal of this fixture at St. Mary’s took place as a Championship clash almost four years ago, the same result looks to have every chance of emanating, with the draw 12/5.
17/20 shots Southampton are unbeaten in their last four league outings at home, but they have won just once in that time.
And given that half of those four matches ended as score draws, it may be sensible to invest in a repeat of that outcome here at 7/2.
The 10/3 Rs themselves have shown a penchant for a draw this term, especially since Harry Redknapp’s arrival at the club, since when he has overseen no fewer than eight stalemates.
The Hoops have scored in half of those matches that ended level, whilst eight of the Saints’ nine draws this campaign have seen both teams find the net.
Such statistics bode well for punters investing in total result markets, as a draw involving more than 2.5 goals looks massively overpriced at 11/1.
It could also be worth noting that the hosts have taken the lead in three of their last four matches on their own patch, making them look tempting 5/6 shots to score their first goal before the 45-minute mark.
And punters envisaging Southampton going ahead could also take a keen interest in half markets.
A massive 14/1 is available regarding the Saints heading into half-time in front, before eventually finishing the match on level terms, and it seems a plausible scenario.
Those odds dwarf the still-tempting 9/1 that Southampton lead at half-time but fail to win, which will interest those who fancy the slow-starting Rs, who haven’t notched a first-half goal in five games, to salvage something after going behind.
Rickie Lambert is an obvious first scorer candidate at 9/2, especially after a run of four goals in his last seven games.
All those strikes came away from St. Mary’s though, and it may be worth chancing Jay Rodriguez at 6/1 to add to his six seasonal strikes with the opener here.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
