Manchester City vs. QPR Preview

Manchester City will be crowned champions of the Barclays Premier League if they beat QPR at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday May 13.

City are level on points with bitter enemies Manchester United however their far superior goal difference means that any victory would certify the title and a draw may even be enough for the hosts if the Red Devils fail to take three points on the road against Sunderland.

Roberto Mancini’s side should deliver the goods however and their skinny odds of around 2/13 indicate that they are more or less the banker amongst the final set of top flight fixtures.

QPR go into the match needing a point to guarantee safety as they are currently two points above Bolton Wanderers who occupy 18th spot.

The Hoops themselves hold a superior goal average in comparison to the teams around them and in the unlikely event that they can steal some kind of a result here; they would be safe from relegation barring a nine goal success for the Trotters.

But with Bolton facing a tricky trip to Stoke City on the final day, QPR may well sneak over the safety line even if they were to be beaten at the Etihad.

City should have no problems cutting through the visitors who have leaked a whopping 38 goals on the road throughout the campaign.

Indeed, Mark Hughes’ side have lost thirteen out of eighteen away games this season and a fourteenth looks ominous unless major improvement can be made and City somehow under-perform to their lowest standard for some time.

QPR have given themselves a chance of survival thanks to their good work at home and they have beaten the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool at Loftus Road in recent weeks.

But their 6-1 mauling at the hands of Chelsea when last away from home demonstrated their many frailties and defensively they are likely to be just as vulnerable against champions elect City who are arguably more effective than the Blues in attack.

City have smashed in 42 goals en route to seventeen home wins this season and they will be delighted should they finish the term not only title winners but unbeaten in front of their own supporters.

The only aspect which could potentially hinder City is the pressure which has effectively switched back onto their shoulders since re-taking the lead from United at the summit of the table.

Nevertheless, Mancini has been a figure of calm throughout the spring and the Italian’s laissez-faire attitude has really rubbed off on his squad who are in tremendous form.

And their focus will surely not be broken after achieving so much over the past few weeks.

It may not be an absolute goal fest for the hosts, but they should take care of QPR comfortably enough and an early goal would inevitably make matters a lot more straightforward.

The 2/13 will only appeal to the really high rollers but a half time/full time wager at around 4/6 looks decent value for backers confident of City lifting the Premier League title come the final whistle on Sunday.

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08/05/2012     © Frixo 2026