QPR v Everton
This game falls into the 'must-win' category for QPR, because they are sinking like a stone.
The change of manager has not worked for them as yet and, while you don't always see an instant response when you do that, the big problem for Mark Hughes is that he keeps seeing his players sent off.
Samba Diakite's red card against Fulham last Saturday was QPR's fifth at home this season and that undermines what Hughes is trying to do. It comes from a lack of self-discipline as much as anything - as a player, if you have been booked already, you just have to be very, very careful.
Everton, in contrast, are on a great run of late, having won four of their last five games.
They had last weekend off because Liverpool were in the Carling Cup final but, because they have been playing well and winning, David Moyes and his players would probably have preferred not to have had a break.
If I went with recent form, then I would obviously back Everton to win here but I quite fancy an upset on the basis that QPR's luck will change eventually, and they will begin to get a break or two.
To be fair to Rangers, they haven't played that badly of late but they just keep pressing the self-destruct button and making things difficult for themselves. They will end their bad run sooner or later, though, and this might just be the game where it happens for them.
Prediction: QPR 2-1 Everton
Here are all of Mark Lawrenson's 2011-12 Premier League predictions & how the Table would look like if all his forecasts were correct:
Lawro's 2011-12 Predictions
This game falls into the 'must-win' category for QPR, because they are sinking like a stone.
The change of manager has not worked for them as yet and, while you don't always see an instant response when you do that, the big problem for Mark Hughes is that he keeps seeing his players sent off.
Samba Diakite's red card against Fulham last Saturday was QPR's fifth at home this season and that undermines what Hughes is trying to do. It comes from a lack of self-discipline as much as anything - as a player, if you have been booked already, you just have to be very, very careful.
Everton, in contrast, are on a great run of late, having won four of their last five games.
They had last weekend off because Liverpool were in the Carling Cup final but, because they have been playing well and winning, David Moyes and his players would probably have preferred not to have had a break.
If I went with recent form, then I would obviously back Everton to win here but I quite fancy an upset on the basis that QPR's luck will change eventually, and they will begin to get a break or two.
To be fair to Rangers, they haven't played that badly of late but they just keep pressing the self-destruct button and making things difficult for themselves. They will end their bad run sooner or later, though, and this might just be the game where it happens for them.
Prediction: QPR 2-1 Everton
Here are all of Mark Lawrenson's 2011-12 Premier League predictions & how the Table would look like if all his forecasts were correct:
Lawro's 2011-12 Predictions
NPower Champions 2010/2011
Comment