QPR star favoured to make Loftus Road exit amidst captaincy loss
In the aftermath of his senseless final day dismissal at Manchester City last season, Joey Barton is 5/2 to leave QPR before the end of the transfer window, after being stripped of the club captaincy.
Barton was not only punished by the FA for his red card and subsequent following actions, but also by his own club, who conducted an internal investigation into the incident.
The result was a fine of six weeks’ wages for the midfielder, along with his status as Loftus Road skipper being compromised, in addition to a 12-game ban imposed upon him by the FA.
29-year-old Barton was also fined £75,000 by the Premier League’s governing body, and in reaction tweeted: “My behaviour was wrong and I accept the punishment imposed upon me. I was reckless and deserved every punishment I received.”
Despite also expressing a will to bounce back for QPR, Ladbrokes make him 4/1 to have his Rs contract terminated next season, which the club have reserved the right to do should Barton breach the terms of his deal again.
It is 14/1 that the former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder announces his retirement prior to the end of next term, but the excessive salary Barton can still command despite his troublesome reputation makes this look unlikely.
He can be backed at 10/11 to clean up his act next season though, and collect no red cards throughout the course of the campaign, which he will miss almost a third of through suspension.
Punters can alternatively back him at 6/4 to be sent off once, while it is 5/1 he is dismissed twice, and 12/1 that he goes for three or more early baths.
Those who fancy a complete rejuvenation of the player meanwhile, both in terms of discipline and form, can back the all-action midfielder to land next year’s PFA Player of the Year award at a huge 100/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.