Trust QPR to return to form

MANY punters will have been badly burned by QPR following their 3-1 home defeat against Watford on national television on the 10^th of December, but they can be trusted to take all three points in the top of the table clash against Swansea on Boxing Day.

QPR followed up that home defeat against Watford with a 2-0 defeat at Elland Road against an in-form Leeds team, but a return to their home patch will be just what the doctor ordered for Neil Warnock’s men. Prior to that defeat against Watford, QPR had dispatched second-placed Cardiff City 2-1 at home, as well as comfortably beating Preston 3-1 at Loftus Road. Indeed, much of QPR’s recent so-called ‘blip’ in form can be put down to their away performances, where a selection of draws have been accumulated – though gaining a point at Nottingham Forest, for example, is no indicator of a poor performance. In Adel Taarabt, Rangers still have one of the best players in the Championship and their position at the top of the league is by no means a false one.

Swansea themselves are in no great run of form at the moment. A 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United last time out followed up a disappointing home draw against Millwall. Recent victories for the Swans have been secured against struggling Ipswich and Middlesbrough, while a point at Doncaster was only salvaged by a last minute equaliser. The Swans also have the best defence in the championship to deal with, and their 3-1 win at Ipswich aside, the south Wales unit have not managed more than one goal in any game since a 3-0 win at Crystal Palace in October. The two sides also played out a 0-0 draw at the Liberty Stadium back in mid-October, and despite having good possession at Sheffield United a week ago, Swansea failed to create many chances. That lack of firepower may well be their undoing against the leaders.

Some will be wary of backing QPR at a relatively short price given their recent form, as well as Swansea’s lofty position in the table, but now is the time to profit on a team that still remains as the most likely to win the Championship title this season. Swansea are in no great run of form themselves, while QPR’s recent struggles have been over-played – especially given the fact that Rangers have won three of their last four matches at home, two of which were against sides in the top seven places in the division. At 6/5, QPR do represent value in this contest.

SUGGESTION:

QPR WIN (6/5 @ Victor Chandler)