QPR v Norwich: Capital contest could produce goals

Mark O'Haire
21 September 2018

QPR have claimed back-to-back Championship victories for only the third occasion since March 2017

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Both QPR and Norwich have found form in recent weeks to push away from the bottom reaches of the Championship. Mark O'Haire previews their encounter from Loftus Road on Saturday evening.

"Collectively, since the start of last season the Both Teams To Score selection has proven profitable in 33/54 (61%) of the two teams’ respective home/away Championship games."

QPR v Norwich
Saturday September 22, 17:30
Live on Sky Sports

QPR riding high

QPR have claimed back-to-back Championship victories for only the third occasion since March 2017 after following up last weekend's 2-1 triumph at Bolton with a richly-deserved 2-0 win at home to Millwall. Mass Luongo opened the scoring in midweek before Man of the Match Ebere Eze added the second.

The second successive success extends Rangers' unbeaten streak to four (W3-D1-L0) and is a significant improvement upon their early displays, where Steve McClaren's charges started the season with four straight defeats. The R's boss was understandably pleased post-match but refused to get too carried away.

The hosts made one change on Wednesday - Geoff Cameron came in for his first start since arriving on-loan, replacing Israeli striker Tomer Hemed, who was on the bench due to fasting for Yom Kippur. McClaren may opt to bring Hemed straight back into the starting XI, while Josh Scowen is pushing for a recall.

Norwich finding form

Norwich registered consecutive league victories for the first time this season as they won at Championship strugglers Reading on Wednesday night, just days after turning over Middlesbrough. Finnish star Teemu Pukki notched his fourth goal of the season and Mario Vrancic grabbed the Canaries second in Berkshire.

Daniel Farke's side comfortably held on to record their first away league win in 11 outings since late January with the hosts rarely threatening Tim Krul's goal. In fact, City could easily have extended their lead late on but Vrancic's point-blank effort was turned away. The victory extends Norwich unbeaten run to three.

The Canaries handed a first start for academy ace Todd Cantwell at the Madjeski Stadium and the young playmaker should keep his place after a glowing performance in place of the injured Onel Hernandez. Marco Stiepermann also returned but Grant Hanley, Ivo Pinto and Kenny McLean remain unavailable.

Tricky to call between two in-form sides

QPR 2.466/4 were 4-1 winners when they last entertained Norwich at Loftus Road in April and home supporters will be hoping the R's can continue their recent resurgence. Since losing their first four fixtures, the Hoops have picked up 10 points from four fixtures, including back-to-back home victories.

In fact, Rangers have won eight of their last nine home outings when excluding top-eight Championship opposition. In fact, despite tabling consecutive bottom-half finishes, the hosts have won 23/50 (46%) Loftus Road encounters since the start of 2016/17 with only eight losses incurred against clubs outside the top-eight.

It's taken time for there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for Daniel Farke and Norwich City 2.8415/8. The German oversaw a mediocre first campaign in charge, whilst the Canaries kicked-off with a W1-D1-L3 return from their opening five fixtures this time around.

However, the Norfolk side have been generating favourable performance data this term and have consistently produced reasonable results on the road. Under Farke, Norwich have lost just 10/27 (37%) games as guests, suggesting they'll relish their underdog role.

Back both sides to score in the capital

Both Teams To Score failed to pay out for this column's followers at Loftus Road on Wednesday night but watchers of QPR's 2-0 triumph will know the R's were fairly fortunate not to concede in the second-half.

I'm happy to follow the same angle of attack on Saturday with BTTS available to support at 1.738/11. Rangers have scored in all bar three of their W12 league outings since the beginning of 2017/18 and Norwich have only failed to score on five away trips under Daniel Farke's stewardship.

Collectively, since the start of last season the Both Teams To Score selection has proven profitable in 33/54 (61%) of the two teams' respective home/away Championship games.

Mark's 2018/19 Profit/Loss

Staked: 27.00 pts
Returned: 35.55 pts
P/L: +8.55 pts

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