Goals at Loftus Road

All good things come to an end but I hope last week’s minor setbacks amount to a lull rather than the start of a poor run.

Actually, it’s a quiet weekend again on the betting front, though Bolton look fairly priced at 10/11 to account for AFC Wimbledon in League One. Bolton are playing well at home just now and still look good for a play-off place, while Wimbledon are unpredictable and do not score many away from home.

I shan’t ramble on about the Manchester UnIted-Southampton EFL Cup Final. I thought United were slightly leg-weary and that Saints had their best chance of beating them. Leaving aside the bad blunder by the referee’s assistant early on, Southampton needed to score again soon after making it 2-2 because they looked the better side at that stage. They deserved extra-time at least but over-committed themselves when the move for the winning goal built up and paid the price.

Predicting their mood after a bitter disappointment is tricky but if they are over it and acknowledge that there is still work to be done to move clear of the relegation scrap I think they will win at Watford. As I’ve said before, the layers flatter the Saints away from home but they are a better side than Watford and 5/4 with Hills is just about acceptable.

I still think Sam Allardyce knows enough to move Palace out of danger and that they will earn at least a point at West Brom. In the Championship, both QPR and Cardiff are improving and are managed by canny individuals with attacking instincts. There should be goals.

BOLTON 20 units at 10/11 to beat AFC Winmbledon
SOUTHAMPTON 15 units at 5/4 to beat Watford
West Brom v Crystal Palace 10 units THE DRAW at 23/10
QPR v Cardiff Both Teams To Score at best available odds