Newcastle v QPR Tips

You always assume that sides get a lift when a new big name manager comes to the helm, and that certainly should be the case with Mark Hughes arriving at QPR. Neil Warnock can count himself unlucky to be shown the door, but ‘Sparky’ is already pretty proven as a top flight manager. He followed a glittering playing career with successful spells as boss for Wales, Blackburn and Fulham, and was unlucky to be dismissed by Manchester City.

Wherever Hughes has gone he has built teams that are hard to beat. I think he is capable of picking up a point on his very first outing in the new job - a daunting trip to the Sports Direct Arena. However, the draw at 11/4 (VictorChandler) looks less appealing when we can favour the specific 0-0 scoreline at best odds of 11/1 with Sportingbet.

Newcastle have had a great season to date, but there has always been the suspicion they would struggle for goals without the prolific Demba Ba. Over the next few weeks we will find out, while the 15-goal striker plays in the African Cup of Nations. Nobody else in the Magpies’ squad has contributed more than three, including all competitions.

Even with Ba, Pardew’s side have sometimes laboured at home to the lesser teams who have come north to defend. Swansea went away with a 0-0 draw while Wigan were only beaten 1-0 after a late Cabaye winner. For their part, QPR have nearly come away with a point at a couple of the big grounds in recent times.They lost just 1-0 at the Emirates and Anfield in December.

You look at these stats and it does seem that a 1-0 home win is also worth considering at best odds of 13/2 with Coral. But I just think that Newcastle may struggle to reach the heights of that last amazing home league game against Man Utd. Toon Army expectations will be high which brings pressure, Ba is absent and QPR may enjoy the infamous ‘new manager bounce.’

A draw would surely be a great start for Hughes and he’ll target a clean sheet as his first priority. Back the 0-0 at 11/1 with Sportingbet.