Aston Villa v QPR: A point apiece for relegation battlers
Published:Aston Villa’s clash with QPR represents the meeting of two clubs that have endured troublesome campaigns to say the least, but a pairing suddenly beginning to find patches of form.
As such, a case can be made for both the 5/4 Villains, and 21/10 Rs to win this match, but the draw at 12/5 is perhaps the wisest call regarding this fixture.
Stalemates have emerged from the past three encounters between these two, whilst the travelling Hoops have become something of draw specialists since Harry Redknapp’s arrival at the club back in November.
Indeed, Redknapp has overseen seven Premier League stalemates in his 16-game tenure at Loftus Road, with 0-0 the most regularly recurring scoreline, happening four times.
It is 7/1 that another goalless draw emanates from this tie, and the fact that these two teams have the worst attacking records in the top flight will encourage many to take that price.
Alternatively, more cautious punters could take the 1/1 against the possibility of both teams scoring, which would cover their back were one side to register.
And at 29/10, a draw which features less than 2.5 strikes will also appeal to many.
For those who do fancy goals to be produced though, obvious first scorer options are present within either side’s ranks.
Christian Benteke has become the main man at Villa this season, and the hosts’ 16-goal top scorer is 5/1 to score in back-to-back games by notching the opener here.
For the visitors, Loic Remy’s two goals in his last two games mean his record since arriving in England is three from five starts.
He’s 6/1 to break the deadlock for the Rs’ second away game in succession.
Perhaps half markets can provide value through alternative means though, in consideration of recent trends within matches involving these sides.
In two of the last three games opposing each other, all of which finished level, the teams headed into half-time with a share of the spoils, so backing a draw at half-time and full-time looks wise at 9/2.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
