Fulham vs. QPR: Premier League Betting Preview

A big weekend in the Premier League and two local derbies are the standout fixtures.

Everton host rivals Liverpool in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off but the one to savour should be the North London Derby at White Hart Lane. Spurs entertain Arsenal in a match both will be desperate to win and, as ever with this fixture, it should provide excellent entertainment.

No doubt that pair of matches will hog the headlines but the best bet over the coming days in the English top flight comes at Craven Cottage where I am happy to take on Fulham.

The Cottagers host a rejuvenated QPR and, despite triumphing in the Europa League on Thursday, haven’t convinced for quite some time domestically.

A 2-0 win over Odense, when Fulham were fortunate to land the spoils, snapped a sequence of five draws in as many matches and they could find things tough going once again versus their near neighbours.

Fulham have struggled for goals this term under new manager Martin Jol and Saturday’s home side have found the net just four times in their previous six matches. Indeed, Fulham are yet to win in the Premier League and their upcoming opponents are slowly getting their act together.

QPR looked set for a long season under Neil Warnock when trounced 4-0 by Bolton on the opening day but a new owner and a flurry of deadline day transfer activity has provided real hope and Rangers currently sit in the top half.

Two excellent wins on the road, at Everton and Wolves, show they are more than a match for most teams and there were also plenty of positives to be taken from recent draws against Newcastle and Aston Villa, when they were arguably the better side in both encounters.

The arrivals of the likes Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips has given Warnock’s boys real strength in midfield and if QPR can enjoy enough possession on Saturday then I think they have more potential match-winners than their shot-shy hosts.

At just 2.00, winless Fulham are begging to be opposed and an away victory is certainly not ruled out. QPR currently sit four points above their local rivals and that gap could be stretched come Saturday evening.

2pts Lay Fulham (vs. QPR) @ 2.00 (Betfair)