QPR v Wigan: Sturdier Rangers set for vital victory

Two strugglers go head-to-head as rock-bottom Wigan travel to Loftus Road for a crucial relegation clash.

New QPR boss Mark Hughes knows that he will never have a better chance to claim his first Premier League victory in charge of the Rs, and the 19/20 odds for a home win are sure to see plenty of attention.

Their 3/1 visitors have performed slightly better on their travels this season than they have at the DW Stadium, but their record on the road still falls short of impressive.

The draw is 23/10 and were it not for the introduction of a new manager for the London outfit, punters potentially would have been best to take advantage of these odds in a game where there seems to be little to choose between the teams.

However, Welshman Hughes will have a positive effect on his new charges as he takes control of a home league game for the first time, and he could hand imminent signing Nedum Onuoha an immediate debut.

This fact, teamed with QPR conceding only one goal in two games since Hughes’s arrival, makes QPR to win to nil look good at 9/4.

A narrow 1-0 was mustered in the FA Cup tie with MK Dons earlier in the week at Loftus Road, and punters should not be discovered from taking advantage of the 7/1 odds for a repeat of that scoreline here.

Wigan do appear to have added quality in the final third of the pitch, with Hugo Rodallega long at 8/1 to score the first or last goal in the game, though the improved organisation of the Rs defence should prove very tough to break down.

With this in mind, top scorer Heidar Helguson could be the best pick to notch the first goal of the game, and the Icelandic hitman is 4/1 to add to his seven league goals so far with the opener.