* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
How quickly things can change in football. Just six weeks ago QPR would have been looking at a home clash with Nottingham Forest as a relative walkover. Back in mid-September Chris Hughton’s not-so Tricky Trees had played seven, drawn one and lost six.
A 2-0 home loss to Middlesbrough was the final straw and the former Brighton boss was out on his backside. Managerless Forest promptly won their first game of the season two days later before appointing Steve Cooper, drawing his first game and then winning the next four.
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A 4-0 battering at the hand of Fulham last time out confuses things a little, certainly in terms of this piece, but it’s fair to say they’ve turned it around. For QPR, since Hughton’s last game in charge of their opponents they’ve won three and lost four.
With both losing last time out I’m a little unsure as to where we are with these two. Was Forest’s improvement purely new-manager bounce? Are QPR destined for mid-table obscurity due to their wildly inconsistent results? Let’s try and work it out for a Friday night Bet Builder.
* An accumulator on these best bets pays at around 33/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Friday 7.45pm: QPR v Nottingham Forest
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Over 2.5 Goals
While much is up in the air, one thing we should see is goals. Since Cooper took over at Forest they’ve witnessed 19 goals in six games, an average of 3.2 per match. The numbers are identical for The R’s as well.
Mark Warburton’s QPR have scored in every game this season, netting 25 and shipping 22. Forest, throughout the season, have scored 18 and conceded 20 in 14 games. It all boils down to a shade over 3 goals per game each and I see absolutely no reason why we won’t see Over 2.5 Goals in this one.
Both Teams To Score
Which leads us nicely on to Both Teams To Score. For this bet see above, really. Both Teams to Score has landed in four of the away side’s last six games. For QPR it’s come off in seven of their last nine games.
It happens significantly more often than not when these two take to the field and with both in great scoring form it’s a must for your Bet Builders, in my very humble opinion.
Philip Zinckernagel Anytime Assist
One man who’s worked his way into the Forest team under Cooper is Philip Zinckernagel. The on-loan Watford forward came off the bench in the new Forest boss’ first game and has started every one since to devastating effect.
He’s notched two goals this season but the stat that really stands out are his assists. He has three more to his name than anyone else who’ll be involved on Friday night (six) and is a superb price to get another here. At a whopping price, Philip Zinckernagel to get an Anytime Assist in a potentially high-scoring game is well worth a go.
Ilias Chair to Score Anytime
Another player in fine fettle is QPR’s top scorer, Ilias Chair. The Morocco international has bagged six in 16 games. More importantly, he’s started firing in recent weeks. In fact, the 23-year old has scored five goals in his last five appearances.
Forest have only kept one clean sheet in their last six matches and, with Chair in such blinding form, he has to be our man. With plenty of value in this punt, Chair to Score Anytime rounds us off.
QPR v Nottingham Forest Bet Builder
Over 2.5 Goals
Both Teams To Score
Philip Zinckernagel Anytime Assist
Ilias Chair to Score Anytime
* An accumulator on these best bets pays at around 33/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Friday Flutters
- BEST BETS: Paddy’s ultimate guide for this weekend
- ACCA: Our fiery 40/1 four-fold for Friday
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Slick Saturday picks
- ACCA: Our sublime 13/1 four-fold for Saturday night
- TURBO TREBLE: Thommo’s 11/2 treble for Saturday’s 3pm Prem action
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- BET BUILDER: Our mega 40/1 flutter for Leicester v Arsenal
- THOMMO: My 3 prize punts for Tottenham v Man Utd
- BET BUILDER: Our smart 32/1 shot for Spurs v Man United
Some more for Sunday
- THOMMO: My 3 Sunday best for Norwich v Leeds
- BEST BETS: 3 punts for Norwich v Leeds on Sunday
- BET BUILDER: 30/1 flutter for Aston Villa v West Ham
- THOMMO: 3 for glee ahead of Villa v West Ham
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