Two huge clashes at the bottom of the Premier League on Tuesday and I think the away team represent value in both.
Most eyes tonight will be on the visitor’s dugout at the Stadium of Light as Harry Redknapp takes charge of Queens Park Rangers for the first time and only a fool would back against the former Tottenham boss starting with a win.
Having replaced Mark Hughes last week Redknapp was in the stands for his new side’s 3-1 loss at Old Trafford on Saturday and will surely have been encouraged by what he saw.
Rangers were the better side for the opening hour against Manchester United, taking the lead through Jamie Mackie, before succumbing late on and there were plenty of positives in what has been a wretched season to date.
Just four points and no wins from QPR’s opening 13 fixtures is alarming but we have seen time and again the influence a new man at the helm can have and Redknapp must fancy starting with a victory against a struggling Sunderland side.
After the Black Cats’ shambolic 4-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday there were rumours boss Martin O’Neill had offered to resign but the Northern Irishman remains in charge for the visit of the Londoners and he is another top flight boss desperate for three points.
It is just one win in eight for Sunderland, that against 10-man Fulham, and, having failed to score in half those fixtures, O’Neill must fear a rejuvenated opponent.
It takes somewhat a leap of faith to back QPR in any fixture but if they are going to land the win they so desperately crave then surely this is it and the 3.50 about them doing so is large.
Elsewhere on Tuesday Aston Villa once again can be taken on with confidence at around the 2.00 mark versus Reading.
The pair both currently occupy places in the relegation zone and while some will point to recent improvements in Villa’s displays I’m not so convinced.
They crumbled late on having led 2-0 against Manchester United, were thrashed at Eastlands and once again showed a distinct lack of creativity when holding Arsenal to a goalless draw on Saturday.
There’s no doubt that run of fixtures was a tough assignment for Paul Lambert but his side find it difficult to breakdown opposition of any calibre and Reading will be no pushovers.
The Royals were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller at the DW Stadium last time out but they beat Everton 2-1 prior to that defeat and definitely carry more of a goal threat than their upcoming hosts.
The Villains have treated their fans to just two Premier League triumphs in the past 12 months, 19 matches in total, and it will be extremely hard work to earn the win they need to move above Southampton and out of the drop zone.
2pts Back QPR (vs. Sunderland) @ 3.50 (Betfair)
2pts Back Reading (vs. Aston Villa) @ 4.30 (Betfair)