Can QPR Escape Drop Zone With Stoke Victory?

QPR could jump out of the relegation zone with a win at Stoke City this afternoon, whilst a victory for the home side would see them usurp Swansea in ninth place.

The last time the two teams met in the Premier League was back in September with the clubs playing out a 2-2 draw at Loftus Road. The Potters took the lead after the first 10 minutes before Steven Caulker levelled up for Rangers three from half-time.

Stoke went ahead once again through Peter Crouch just minutes into the second 45, Niko Kranjcar seeing the spoils shared in the closing minutes of the tie.

Eleven-to-four with boylesports says that the match will end tied once again, Betvictor`s 20/1 the price on an identical 2-2 draw being played out. It is Mark Hughes` home side who are the favourites for victory, available at 4/5 with a number of bookmakers. In contrast, you can back QPR are 9/2 at betfred, paddy Power, sportingbet and Totesport.

A win for Harry Redknapp`s strugglers would be their first in seven matches in all competitions. Indeed, the Hoops haven`t picked up a point away from home all season, having scored just five goals in their 10 matches on the road. They have conceded a total of 24 goals in these games, the equivalent of just over two a game. City are evens with Coral to put over 1.5 goals past Robert Green in the Londoners` net.

The Rs top scorer on the road is Charlie Austin, who netted four of the five scored by the 19th placed club. He is 13/5 (Betbright, betfair) to score at any time whilst 8/1 with Bwin says that he will break the deadlock. Half of Austin`s goals came from the penalty spot and his team are 12/1 to convert a penalty at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.

The only other player to hit the back of the net for Queens Park Rangers on the road this season is Bobby Zamora, he being available at 11/2 (paddy Power) to hit the back of the net at any time.

Stoke have picked up seven points from their last five games at home, securing valuable points against European hopefuls Manchester United, with whom they drew 1-1, and Arsenal, over whom they recorded a 3-2 victory. Indeed, the Potters scored in four of these five matches, their only profligate game coming in the 2-0 defeat against league leaders Chelsea.

The Midlands club`s top scorers from these five games were Mame Biram Diouf and Jonathan Walters, who both bagged two goals each. Diouf grabbed a brace in the 2-0 victory over West Brom and is best priced 8/1 (bet365) to hit another this afternoon, whilst Walters scored in the Arsenal game and in his side`s 2-1 defeat against Burnley. Walters is available at 5/2 (32red, 888sport, unibet) to score at any time against QPR.

Diouf is set to make his reappearance after the early exit of Senegal from the African Cup of Nations.

The importance of these players can`t be overstated after five-time scorer Bojan Krkic picked up an cruciate ligament injury that will see him sit out the rest of the season.

In QPR team news, Redknapp will be able to select Richard Dunne and Yun Suk-Young following their respective recoveries from groin and ankle injuries. Eighteen-to-five at betfair says that Dunne will be part of the Rangers` defence that keeps a clean sheet this afternoon. Stoke, on the other hand, are 5/4 (Spreadex) to not concede. The Hoops manager, however, will have to do without midfield playmaker Sandro who has sustained a knock to his knee.

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31/01/2015     © Frixo 2026