LFW's regular pundit Andy Hillman and resident odds compiler Owen Goulding look ahead to QPR v Leeds and a weekend of football action elsewhere.

Andy Hillman

As I sit here typing out this column I should be playing five-a-side football in goal for my team, who are top of the league and unbeaten, and on course to win the division at a canter. But the QPR injury curse is wide reaching and strong this season, as I’ve been ruled out for the season with a fractured wrist and ligament damage. So in many ways, I’m exactly the same as Ale Faurlin - handsome, Argentinean and injured...

NAP of the Week: Fulham vs Chelsea — U2.5 goals @ 11/10

Fulham are a bit shit at the moment. And hiring their third manager of the season is something that we would do. Magath’s first job, like all new managers will be to stop conceding goals. Chelsea don’t score many, and grind out functional wins as opposed to spankings. A low scoring win for Chelsea seems so painfully obvious...

QPR related bet (1) QPR to win, BTTS @ 7/2

I feel absolutely stupid even as I type this for backing a QPR win — three defeats on the bounce, no momentum, on TV, But, but, we have won 11 of our 16 home games in the league this season, and Leeds have only won two of their last 12 games. From a neutral point of view we should beat Leeds...

QPR related bet (2) Connor Wickham to score at anytime @ 3/1

...but to beat Leeds, we’re going to have to score twice, as Connor Wickham will definitely score for them. He’s exactly who we should have been signing the moment he went back to Sunderland from Sheffield Wednesday — right age, right attitude, right position, and in form. But no, we had to sign Maiga. And Keane. And Doyle. And Morrison.

Tottenham vs Cardiff - Spurs (-1) @ Evens

Spurs are still a bit of an odd one to back — spanking Newcastle 4-0 at St James Park, before back to back 1-0 defeats against Dnipro and Norwich. Cardiff however bring some serious stats to the table that are impossible to ignore — they have lost their last six away games in a row, all by at least two goals. They have also lost eight of their last 11 games. I quite like Solskjaer as it goes, but Cardiff really are up shit creek...

Longshot — Swansea vs Crystal Palace — Palace @ 4/1

Swansea have, as I type, just crashed out away to Napoli in the Europa League in what was a ridiculously high tempo and energy sapping match. Their domestic form is little better, with only two wins in their last 13 games. Tony Pulis has worked wonders for Palace, and the extra rest will work in their favour.

The Weekly look at Taarabt: Juve to Beat Milan @ Evens

Whether you’re for him or against him (I’d to the 15 mile walk to the Valley and voluntarily watch the Charlton match all over again to see him in a QPR shirt...) you can’t disagree that he’s had a great start to his Milan Career. Juventus are a different animal though, and are so much better than every other team in the league that evens for a Juve win is practically a gift from God. (The other one, not Taarabt...)

Previous winners:

Roma vs Bologna - Roma win to Nil @ 7/5 — 27/09/13

The Pro

I believe last week was a turning point for a lot of fans. I certainly felt it was for myself. When the line-ups were announced, I shook my head in disbelief. Did Harry truly believe that a midfield of Jenas and Carroll was the best option available to him? It really feels like he is clutching at straws - the fact we have eight loans of which only five can play says a lot. His team selections week after week say even more. I said it in the preview last week and it was apparent after 30 minutes of the game. Charlton are a dreadful side — I've never seen so many mis-placed passes, yet few could argue they deserved their win on Saturday. QPR look exactly what they are: a group of eleven players thrown together in the hope they gel into some kind of team performance. It just doesn't look like happening.

I don't know what is going on since Steve McClaren left but I would love to be a watcher of our training sessions because tactics look non-existent ever since. I must add at this point I am not one to jump on bandwagons etc but I know what I've been seeing and it does not bode well. Hopefully with Charlie and Danny coming back into the team shortly this may help but I'm not hopeful.

With Barton missing, Harry has the same problem trying to pick a midfield that works and its clear to see where this is concerned, he is just throwing mud at the wall and hoping some sticks. Leeds come to Loftus Road in indifferent form although to be fair to them, they have only lost one of their last five games, and that was only a late defeat at the home of in form Brighton. QPR are priced at a general 5/6 to win this game and I for one think that is way too short.

Leeds have bolstered their squad with the loan signing of Conor Wickham and a price of 4/1 Leeds does interest me from a betting point of view. However, being the eternal optimist, I would much rather back Leeds on the Draw No Bet market with the insurance of stakes returned if a draw, a winning bet if Leeds win. Currently available at 27/10 with Victor Chandler, this represents value (unfortunately!).

Recommended bet: QPR v Leeds - Leeds Draw No Bet - 27/10 BetVictor.

Elsewhere, my bet of the weekend comes at Preston where they are available at 11/10 to beat Walsall. Walsall's away record has been pretty impressive this season, but here we have two sides who are showing differing form recently. Walsall in recent weeks have struggled, and could of had no complaints if Crawley had scored four or five instead of the two they managed to put past the Saddlers last week. Preston on the other hand have been dominating a number of recent games with varying degrees of success. I'm happy to take the Lilywhites at odds against here as my bet of the weekend.

Bet of Weekend: Preston to Beat Walsall - 11/10 Betvictor.

Big price goalscorers for this week...

Leyton Orient v Colchester - Mathie Baudry - 40/1 First 16/1 Anytime Betfred

Hartlepool v Torquay - Krystian Pearce - 50/1 First 19/1 Anytime Paddy Power

Kaspars Gorkks - Reading v Yeovil - 9/1 anytime Betfred.

Previous Winners:

Joey Barton to score at any time vs Middlesbrough 4/1 (William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfred, Skybet), 27/09/13

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