Betrescue columnist, Bruin Brown from Betfair is backing QPR and West Ham and laying Rangers in this week’s Bruin’s Shoo-Ins
Not one to get too hung up on the past I don’t want to dwell on last week, except I am. Dwelling on last week that is. Narrow, and largely undeserved, 1-0 wins for Chelsea and Tottenham scuppered what would have been a very tasty FA Cup treble. I blame David Cameron.
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the wife and I were having some heated exchanges, well since then we’ve decided to go our separate ways. And to be honest I’m quite enjoying the single life; it turns out that, contrary to popular belief, women are actually attracted to me. As soon as they see me they seem to want to get into shape and impress me. So they start running.
QPR v Wolves: Premier League:
KO 15:00 Saturday
One man who was full of running in midweek was QPR striker Djibril Cisse. The Frenchman scored on his debut for a Premier League club for the third time in his career, and I strongly believe that his signing may turn out to be the best piece of business of the whole January transfer window.
Rangers host Wolves this weekend and it has the sense of a fixture that could make or break each team’s season. Should Mark Hughes’ men win then they could easily go on a run and pull away from any possible danger. If Wolves win then they’ll revive some survival hope and could even leapfrog their opponents in the table. Defeat for Wanderers, though, could spell the end for manager Mick McCarthy.
QPR were comfortable 3-0 victors when the teams met earlier in the season. Back at Loftus Road and with the added impetus of Cisse, I fancy a similar scoreline this time around. At odds of 1.95 (20/21) on Betfair The Rs look an absolute shoo-in.
West Ham v Millwall: Championship:
KO 12:30 Saturday: Live On Sky Sports 2
Having finally managed to navigate my way to the Championship section of the new BBC website I see that there is a slightly tasty London derby taking place this weekend. West Ham looking to bounce back from a thumping 5-1 defeat at Ipswich in midweek are looking to maintain their position at the top of the table by seeing off relegation threatened Millwall.
The Lions are only five points above the drop and have won only one of their last nine, while The Hammers are two points clear at the top and had won three in a row prior to the midweek loss.
Judging by Sam Allardyce’s deadline day transfer dealings West ham are going for the jugular from here on in and despite that blip on Tuesday I expect they’ll get back on track here. Back West Ham to win at odds of 1.6. at betfair.com
Rangers v Dundee Utd: Scottish Cup:
KO: 12:15 Sunday: Live On BBC Scotland
Up in Scotland deadline day dealings may have handed the SPL trophy to Celtic. Nikica Jelavic’s departure to Everton not only offered another indication of the club’s precarious financial situation, but also diminished their chances of domestic success this season tenfold.
The big Croat has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, and is out in front with 14 league goals at the top of the goalscorers table. Without his contributions last season they certainly wouldn’t have won the title, and without him in the first half of this season they could well be down in third or even fourth position at this point.
They begin life without Jelavic with a Scottish Cup tie against Dundee United this weekend and although The Terrors’ record against the Glasgow club is not great, they did knock them out of this competition on their way to winning it two years ago. This may be pushing the baot out a bit, but lets take on The Gers at odds of 1.44 (4/9) on Betfair.
Bruin’s Shoo-Ins
Back QPR to beat Wolves @ 1.95
Back West Ham to beat Millwall @ 1.6
Lay Rangers to beat Dundee United @ 1.44
Treble pays @ 9.5 at Betfair.com
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