SkyBet: Bookies ready to make new payment to Canaries’ backers

Leeds go into their final game of the season not knowing how the outcome will affect them, following the FA’s decision to delay its verdict on QPR’s charges relating to the signing of Alejandro Faurlin.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th May 2011, 21:20 BST

Next week could see QPR cleared and crowned champions, found guilty and promoted or found guilty and forced to compete in the play-offs.

A particularly hefty punishment could yet open the door for Leeds to finish in the top six, so both clubs must approach this game as if three points are essential, even if the current table suggests that is not the case.

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So the task facing Leeds is to beat the champions (Skybet has already paid out on QPR winning the title, but is standing by to pay out on Norwich should any points deduction leave them top) on their own ground, while they still have a point to prove.

Rangers have lost only once at Loftus Road and have conceded just 13 goals, while Leeds have lost their last four on the road – results which are responsible for the position they now find themselves in.

The worst case scenario for the Whites is that they lose and allow either Millwall or Burnley to claim seventh place, and then see QPR hit with a 25-point penalty.

With Neil Warnock the supreme motivator at this level, expect Rangers to land odds of 11-10.

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Millwall could then be in a position to be on stand-by for the play-offs, should they win at Barnsley.

The Lions have been erratic in recent weeks, but they have won three of their last four away games and welcome back top scorer Steve Morison from suspension.

Odds of 8-5 may well shorten in the build-up to kick-off.

Hull have fallen short of the play-offs, but they still have a proud away record to protect and look a good price at 2-1 to win at Bristol City.

The Tigers have not lost an away game since September, while their hosts are missing suspended star man Nicky Maynard.

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Swansea may yet find themselves in the top two once the ramifications of the QPR saga become clear, so they are likely to be in countless multiple bets as they take on Sheffield United at the Liberty Stadium.

The Swans are outstanding at home and should win this comfortably.

A confident Middlesbrough should make light work of Doncaster at the Riverside after their fine win at Cardiff on Monday.

Huddersfield’s reward for their longest unbeaten run in 86 years is a place in the play-offs, but they will not want to surrender that 24-game sequence to Brentford, even though the result is academic. Lee Clark will know that if Town can beat their club record unbeaten run of 27 games they will most likely be playing in the Championship next season, so he will send his team out to keep that momentum going.

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Brentford’s season has tailed off since their JP Trophy final defeat and they should not be too much of an obstacle.

Sheffield Wednesday’s dismal season has ended with a decent run and they can make it five unbeaten by seeing off Exeter.

Rotherham’s visitors Torquay still have everything to play for with a place in the play-offs at stake. The Gulls are unbeaten in 11 games and can get the win they need to extend their season.

Bradford entertain Crewe in possibly Valley Parade’s last game. Crewe have one of the division’s top scorers in Clayton Donaldson. Back the former York City man to find the net for the 29th time this season.

Weekend’s best bets

QPR to beat Leeds

Millwall to beat Barnsley

Hull to beat Bristol City

Middlesbrough to beat Doncaster

Swansea to beat Sheffield United

Huddersfield to beat Brentford

Sheffield Wednesday to beat Exeter

Torquay to beat Rotherham

Bradford v Crewe – Clayton Donaldson to score

Related topics:QPRRangersLeedsTigers