Betrescue columnist, Bruin Brown from Betfair goes to the QPR, St Mirren and Southampton for this week’s Bruin’s Shoo-Ins
It’s been a busy seven days in the life of Bruin Brown since we last convened. You see, aside from my punting exploits, I tend to make my money doing odd jobs here and there; a Jack of all trades if you like. So when an opportunity arose at my local football club for a semi-permanent role as a touchline painter, I thought I’d put myself forward for an interview.
The meeting went well – I can be quite charming when needs must – and a few days ago they asked me back to the club to offer me the job. However, after discussing the role further I was forced to turn them down due to their overly high demands. You have to draw the line somewhere.
Anyway, that’s enough about me; there are some huge games up and down the country this weekend. Nowhere more so than Loftus Road where QPR host Wigan… er, well… there may be one or two bigger, but this one is pretty big.
QPR v Wigan: Premier League: Saturday KO 15:00
Defeat for QPR could see them slip to the bottom of the table and Wigan climb out of the relegation zone. While victory for The Rs would likely see them move out of the drop zone and leave The Latics marooned at the bottom of the table.
One of the first things that Mark Hughes tends to do when taking on a new job is sort out the defence. He did so with Wales and at Blackburn and although circumstances dictated otherwise at Manchester City his Fulham side had the joint-fourth best defence in the league last season.
Rangers and Wigan also have the two worst offensive records in the top flight and all pointers point pointedly towards a low scoring game. Back Under 2.5 goals at odds of 1.84 (5/6) on Betfair.
Southampton V Leicester: Championship: Monday KO: 19:45 SS1
I saw a headline today that read “Leicester seek Drinkwater”. Now, I appreciate that times are hard, but if a football club is struggling to provide their players with hydration in a developed country such as ours then what chance have the rest of us got?
The Foxes face the unenviable task of a trip to St Mary’s this Monday evening aiming to become only the second side this season to beat Southampton on their home patch and only the third to come away from the south coast with anything to show for their efforts.
The Saints’ home record in The Championship reads as W11, D1, L1 in comparison to Leicester’s paltry three triumphs on the road. Odds of 1.96 (20/21) on a home win are a definite shoo-in only at betfair.com
St Mirren v Celtic: SPL: Saturday KO 12:30 ESPN
North of the border Celtic have added to their squad by bringing in Nigerian midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim from PSV Eindhoven. The 20-year-old has been capped at Under-23 and Under-20 level for his country in the past and his hoping that a successful stint in Glasgow can see him add to his seven caps at Under-17 level.
The Hoops take on St Mirren for the third time this season on Saturday and will be looking to extend their run of SPL victories to 12 matches. Neil Lennon’s side won 2-0 when the sides last met at Greenhill back in August and I don’t foresee too many problems for the SPL leaders.
Seven of Celtic’s last ten games in all competitions have ended with fewer than three goals, while St Mirren have scored just once in their last four home games. It may be a tight one, but the value is in backing Under 2.5 goals at odds of 2.1 (11/10) with Betfair.
Bruin’s Shoo-ins
Back Under 2.5 goals in QPR v Wigan @ 1.84
Back Southampton to beat Leicester @ 1.96
Back Under 2.5 goals in St Mirren v Celtic @ 2.1
Treble pays @ 7.5. Stick £20 on on for a £530 return
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