This weekend bwin are offering a free £20 bet to all RedRants readers as United make the journey South to take on struggling QPR at Loftus Road.
It’s a fixture that’s gone predominantly United’s way down the years and, after last years capitulation on the final day of the season away to City, United and their fans I’m sure will be gunning to strike another blow into Rangers’ Premier League survival hopes so you might fancy putting your money on United to win at 1.50.
Let’s take a look at how a few of the prominent United websites preview the game before we take a look at a few of the odds.
Form guide: Since losing a dead-rubber tie to CFR Cluj in early December, United have gone 16 matches without defeat in all competitions – most recently beating Reading in the FA Cup fifth round. This weekend, the Reds return to Barclays Premier League action and know that victory over QPR would temporarily create a 15 point lead at the top. However, the Hoops will be no pushovers, having lost just once in their last six outings. Worrying, the West Londoners have also caused upsets against Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester City in recent weeks.
Ins and outs: Sir Alex Ferguson is definitely without Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Phil Jones – who picked up a knee injury against the Royals – but otherwise has a full squad to choose from and given that he made eight changes on Monday, a similar number is expected at Loftus Road. Meanwhile, Fabio is ineligible to face the Reds as part of his loan deal, while there are question marks over Julio Cesar, Loic Remy and Junior Hoilett. Andy Johnson is still sidelined.
Star man: Defensive strength has underpinned QPR’s recent form, having kept four clean sheets in six matches, but the R’s have crucially struggled to score goals. The recent return of Bobby Zamora could change that, after the England international netted on his comeback
United are in great form domestically at the moment, with the side picking up 38 points from a maximum 42 over the last 14 games. With participation in both the Champions League and FA Cup still, whispers of an epic treble are starting to circulate the club. However the first step must be to overcome a QPR side that are fighting for their top-flight lives.
It is only natural that United fans and players will have one eye on the return leg of their Champions League tie against Real Madrid, but the visiting team must not become distracted by the glamour tie. Although QPR have only won two games all season, they have recently held both Manchester City and Tottenham at home, and seem to have improved under Harry Redknapp’s stewardship.
The need to give some players game time and others a rest will probably mean a few changes tomorrow with the onus on getting the players up for a fight. This increases the loss felt by the absence of Rooney who leads by example and always carries the fight to the opposition.
Does Sir Alex rest RvP? I think he might be tempted to start him on the bench tomorrow and use Hernandez up top on his own with the industry of Welbeck and Valencia on the wings although I get the feeling there’s a place in the side for Nani who came on to devastating effect on Monday night to sink Reading. The lineup will be interesting and could look a tad unorthodox.
General Consensus:
‘Let’s not take these for granted or let complacency creep in’ seems to be the overriding wish for many. It’s a lesson this squad needed to learn the hard way.
Betting:
Once you’ve received your £20 free bet from bwin – where will you put it? It’s a fantastic offer but where’s the sensible money this weekend….how can we turn that free money into much needed profit?
Let’s take a look at a few of the bets on offer and the fixtures that could provide us with the potential for a bit of Bookie Bashing!
You might want to stick to United and hope for another rare Carrick goal like last season which happened to be the last goal of the game. If you do you’ll get him at odds of 6.00 to score anytime and 17.00 to be the last goalscorer again.
Maybe Nani’s show on Monday night has re-ignited your faith in him and you fancy him for the first goal of the game. If he has you can back him at odds of 8.50.
After winning the last three fixtures by two clear goals, QPR finding goals difficult to come across, United’s determination NOT to fall into last years trap and a Little Mexican striker who’ll be chomping at the bit to get amongst the goals tomorrow, I reckon the sensible money in the United match is taking United with a -1 handicap at odds of 2.50. Your £20 pays £50 if United win by 2 goals again.
If it’s elsewhere you want to find some value then surely the uninspiring early kickoff between Fulham and Stoke City has a draw written all over it and I’d look no further than taking the 3.30 on offer with bwin for the draw. A more attractive price of 6.00 for 1-1 or 7.75 for 0-0 would see you collect £120 and £155 respectively if successful.
What ever you decide to do……BE LUCKY!
Go get your free £20 bwin bet now!
