QPR vs Middlesbrough 2/1 Bet Builder – Mark O’Haire
QPR manager Julien Stephan felt his side never got going in their 2-0 home defeat to Sheffield United last weekend. The Rangers boss was aggrieved Richard Kone’s header was ruled out for offside with 17 minutes to play but couldn’t contain his frustration and disappointment in his team’s efforts as they slipped to a third defeat in four.
Stephan said, “Tough result, tough performance. I’m disappointed with the performance, to concede the goals too quickly in the first half. We didn't start like we expected to in terms of aggression or intensity. We tried to fix some problems during half-time and I think it was better in the second half, but we didn’t create enough.”
The R’s chief made a double substitution at half-time, sending on attackers Paul Smyth and Rayan Kolli and switching from a 4-4-2 to 3-4-3 formation but QPR still fell short with injuries and absentees biting the side hard. Top scorer Rumarn Burrell, player of the season Nicolas Madesen and key creator Illias Chair all remain unavailable.
Rangers can at least welcome Rhys Norrington-Davies back after the left-back was ineligible against his parent club. Kwame Poku is also expected to be in the squad for Sunday’s showdown with promotion-chasing Middlesbrough following his long lay-off.
Total Goals –
Over 2.5
Goals have been a regular occurrence in QPR contests, particularly at Loftus Road. The W12 venue is the second-highest scoring stadium in the Championship with an average of 3.24 goals per-game this season – 13 (76%) of 17 showdowns have produced over 2.5 goals with seven (41%) of those encounters featuring four strikes or more.
Both Teams to Score – Yes
Both Teams to Score has also proven a profitable avenue of attack. QPR have notched in all but two of their 17 home outings, though the Super Hoops have silenced only three of their visitors, leading to 13 out of 17 (76%) winning Both Teams to Score wagers. Middlesbrough have managed just two away clean sheets with 12/18 (67%) seeing Both Teams to Score bank.
Team Cards – Both Teams over 0.5
Josh Smith has been handed the whistle for Sunday – the arbiter is averaging 4.15 cards and 45.25 booking points through his opening 20 league assignments, flashing 3+ cards in 70% with the same hit-rate occurring for both teams booked. QPR have been cautioned in 76% of home games with Boro following suit in 89% away.
Total Corners – Over 6.5
The Championship is averaging 10.18 corners per-game this season with 79% of overall encounters seeing over 7.5 corners providing pay-outs. QPR have seen a healthy 82% of Loftus Road matchups produce a minimum of seven corners with Middlesbrough returning a strong 89% in the same market when playing away from The Riverside.
