The Championship Betting: Sky Blues too good to miss against troubled QPR

Championship / Andrew French / 12 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

QPR boss Mick Harford is enduring a difficult time at the moment on the field, whilst off the field, things are just as bad.

"On the field, new boss Mick Harford has managed just one draw in five games and they have not won a league game since Boxing Day. Their recent away form has been particularly poor, five defeats and two draws in seven trips – and they have scored just once in their last four games."

Backing in-form sides, or opposing ones out-of-form has always been Andrew French's approach to Championship Betting. This week our man is very sweet on a Coventry victory at home to struggling QPR.

Every now and then I see a price and can't understand it - that is most certainly the case about the [2.2] available to back Coventry when they entertain QPR this weekend.

Look at the league table and you won't see why: Coventry are only a couple of places and three points above their visitors. But dig a little deeper. The Sky Blues beat promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest at the Ricoh Arena in midweek, and picked up three draws in tough fixtures prior to that. They have also won four of their last five home games.

By contrast, Rangers are struggling: that cannot be denied. Sporting Director Gianni Paladini is understood to have offered his resignation after being barracked by fans during Tuesday's loss to Ipswich. On the field, new boss Mick Harford has managed just one draw in five games and they have not won a league game since Boxing Day. Their recent away form has been particularly poor, five defeats and two draws in seven trips - and they have scored just once in their last four games. Therefore, I fully expected Coventry to be a shade of odds-on: the fact they can be backed at [2.2] makes them my best bet of the weekend.

*****************************

Far less of a price is on offer about Middlesbrough, but I have to include them - even if it's as much because I'd gladly back anyone when Peterborough are the visitors. New Posh manager Jim Gannon did the business for us last weekend when he won his first game in charge against QPR, but it was back to type in midweek as they were beaten at Cardiff. That made it three consecutive away defeats, and Posh are the only team in the division without a win on the road.

Middlesbrough haven't exactly set the world alight since Gordon Strachan took charge, but they are now on a five-game unbeaten run. Four of Strachan's five recent signings from Scotland started the midweek win over Barnsley, so he appears to have his men in place - and they really should have too much for the visitors. Even at [1.58], back Boro.

*****************************

There's no ignoring the excellent rescue job Mark Robins has performed since taking over at Barnsley. When he arrived in September they were looking at a relegation battle, but they now sit above halfway and only four points short of a play-off place. Getting involved in the promotion battle may be too much for this season, but the Tykes ought to be able to take care of struggling Plymouth at Oakwell, where Robins' side have won three of their last four. Plymouth are on a run of three consecutive defeats and scoring goals is a particular problem: just three in the last five games. Therefore, back Barnsley at [1.76].

*****************************

I've watched Sheffield United and Bristol City lose at Vicarage Road inside a week, and both sides gave pretty poor displays (although, being a Watford fan, I like to think it was because the Hornets were worthy winners!). However, United are a different proposition at Bramall Lane - they needed a late equaliser to draw with Derby last weekend but they had preceded that with four straight wins. City's defeat at Watford made it one win in nine for Gary Johnson's side, and they have only managed one goal in their last four games. So, I'm backing United at [1.95].

*Andrew is showing a profit of approximately £203 (£10 level stake/liability) on all his selections so far this season