The pundits look ahead to QPR's trip to Burnley on Saturday and survey the rest of the Easter markets searching for value.

One winner last week and it went in The Challenger account – backing QPR and Crystal Palace to draw at 9/4 brought in £32.50 and the bet on Padraig Harrington in The Masters remains live so a small loss of £7.50 takes the overall balance to £104.59. A blank week for Brian takes him back into the red to the tune of £36.78.

Brian Power
Easter weekend so loads of sport including The Masters, The Irish Grand National and lots of football and your missus wants you to clear out the garage, cut the grass or visit a garden centre. Put your foot down and tell her who is boss. This time next week I will be able to tell you my garage is spotless, the lawn is looking good and that the local centre is doing a great deal on compost.

Burnley have had a great season and a place in the play offs would be a fitting climax and reward to Owen Coyle who is doing a magnificent job for the Clarets. I think we can get a point up there but I am going to go for a first scorer bet and will have a £5 on Routledge for both games over the weekend.

Sheffield Wed are the visitors on Monday and we will stick with Wayne to get 1st goal and will include the correct score bet of us to win 3-1.

On Saturday Exmoor Ranger is due to go in the 3.55 at Carlisle. It was going well when falling four out at Cheltenham and despite that being its second fall over fences in four attempts I think it has a decent chance. Saying that I don’t know if it will run and at what price so it is a shot in the dark. On Monday the Irish Grand National takes place and Nina Carberry rides Enda Bolgers Grand Champere. Nina is a hell of a rider and can emulate her father and brother by winning this race at odds of 16/1.

This weekend I will go with my normal football bet but have picked a couple of games with potential draws and will have a separate little wager on them.

For the weekend:
QPR V Burnley
£5 Wayne Routledge first scorer 16/1

QPR V Sheff Wed
£5 Wayne Routledge first scorer 16/1
£5 QPR to win 3-1

Saturday 3.55 Carlisle Exmoor Ranger £10 S/P
Monday Irish Grand National £10 Grand Champere 16/1

Skybet £2 trebles and a £2 acca
Birmingham 10/11
Tranmere 13/8
Luton 11/4
Dundee Utd 6/4

Skybet £1 trebles and a £1 acca
All draws
Middlesboro/Hull 12/5
Forest/Bristol C 12/5
Sheff W/Derby 9/4
Burton/Histon 11/4

The Challenger
It’s generally seen as a big no no to back against your own team. I remember copping fearful abuse at Rotherham a couple of seasons ago for having a tenner on the home team who were, at the time, bottom of the table and without a win in three months. We won 1-0, Martin Rowlands scored and I promise you nobody was happier than me that we did. Call it emotional insurance if you like. This weekend I can foresee nothing but a defeat against a Burnley side we would really have struggled with even without the events of Thursday night. So I’m lumping on them, I apologise and I hope I lose and QPR win – I’ll be there cheering if it happens. Allied to that we have a Masters bet still live from last week, another football punt and a Super League wager.

For the weekend:
£20 Burnley to beat QPR 4/5 Bet365

£10 draw double Villa v Everton and Stoke v Newcastle both 9/4
£10 draw double Swansea v Norwich 5/2 and Forest v Bristol City 9/4

£10 Wakefield and Castleford to draw 20/1

Previously advised:
£5 e/w Padraig Harrington to win The Masters 16/1

...for your consideration
These are the latest odds for the vacant QPR manager's position from Victor Chandler. Interesting that Roberto Mancini, the favourite last time, isn't even listed.
Dennis Wise 9/2
Paul Ince 7/1
Darren Ferguson 9/1
Gus Poyet 10/1
Gareth Ainsworth 10/1
Walter Zenga 10/1
Aidy Boothroyd 11/1
Lawrie Sanchez 12/1
Roberto Di Matteo 14/1
Paul Jewell 14/1
Alan Pardew 14/1
Sven Goran Eriksson 16/1
Steve Clarke 16/1
Jean Tigana 16/1
John Hughes 16/1
Gianluca Vialli 16/1
Glenn Roeder 18/1
Alan Curbishley 20/1
Colin Calderwood 20/1
Tony Adams 20/1
David O`Leary 20/1
Steve Cotterill 22/1
Joe Kinnear 22/1
Ian Holloway 25/1
Micky Adams 25/1
Terry Venables 25/1
Martin Ling 25/1
Roy Keane 25/1
Mick Harford 25/1
Steve Tilson 25/1
Gary McAllister 28/1
Steve McClaren 33/1
Jeff Kenna 33/1
Jim Calderwood 33/1
Gerry Francis 33/1
Stuart Pearce 33/1
Glenn Hoddle 33/1
Avram Grant 33/1
Martin Allen 40/1
John Sheriden 40/1
Gary Speed 40/1
John Gregory 40/1
Ray Wilkins 50/1
Stan Bowles 200/1

Photo: Action Images

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