Feeling Blue On One Side Of Merseyside

Psychology plays such a big part in football and it’s all in QPR’s favour this afternoon.

Everton crashed out of the Europa League 5-2 on the night in Kiev three days ago and that will have been a crushing blow for Roberto Martinez’s men. For the majority of 2014-15 that competition has been the solitary ray of light illuminating an otherwise poor campaign.

Now that’s gone, all that’s left is the faint threat of a relegation battle. It’s a disheartening prospect for a club who were still in the mix for the Champions League spots a year ago. To have lost 8 of their last 9 away league matches is a shocker for a club of this status.

In contrast, the Hoops should be buoyed by watching every other side in the bottom five lose on Saturday. For all the Londoner’s troubles, a win here would propel the hosts to within one point of safety.

QPR’s greatest asset is that they are only team down the bottom with a regular goalscorer. Charlie Austin is still the 4th highest scorer in the Premier League and Paddy Power offer an alluring 9/2 on him scoring in a home win here.