Specials market available as Barton prepares for Newcastle renewal

With all eyes set to be on Joey Barton this evening, he is sure not to disappoint, but whether he scores, assists a goal or gets sent off in the Premier League meeting between QPR and Newcastle is anybody’s guess.

It is slightly ironic that Barton is to make his QPR debut against his most recent club, although the Newcastle fans will probably still give him a good reception after his public outburst at the disappointing way the Toon club is run.

Leaving on a free transfer may have been hard enough for Newcastle to take, but he would certainly not be against banging one final nail in their coffin to bring the saga between club and player to an end with a goal at Loftus Road.

Barton is 10/1 in the Premier League odds to score the opening goal in the fixture, while it is 7/2 that he finds the target at any point in the 90 minutes.

However, there is a Barton specials market also available relating to what will happen to the midfielder first at Loftus Road.

Barton played on the right of midfield at Newcastle, but there is a strong possibility that he will return to his traditional central role at QPR.

This will mean he is more involved in the game and likely to be more combative in an effort to control the game from the middle of the park.

Therefore, the 7/4 on offer that he is booked first against Newcastle could be a cracking bet, while a dangerous tackle or violent conduct could see him sent off at 20/1.

It is 6/1 that Barton’s first contribution is a goal and 2/1 that he assists one of his new teammates.

Alternatively, it is 4/1 that he fails to see out the 90 minutes and gets substituted first.

Punters believing that Barton will play the whole game without getting booked, sent off, scoring or setting up a goal can back that none of the above happen at 11/8.