Bitesize Prediction: QPR vs Bournemouth – 06/01/24

Competition: FA Cup

Market: Bournemouth win

Odds: 5/11 @ Pribet

Looking to extend on their recent purple patch, a high-flying Bournemouth will travel to Championship strugglers QPR on Saturday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, while QPR might have eventually clung to their Championship status last season, the Hoops find themselves at the heart of another second-tier nightmare. Last seen opening the New Year with another worrying performance as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home against Cardiff, Marti Cifuentes has a major job on his hands in west London. Still sat firmly in the drop zone and four points adrift of safety, QPR have now collected just a pair of points from any of their previous six appearances. With their extended blip underlined by a 2-1 loss against fellow relegation scrappers Sheffield Wednesday last month, Saturday’s hosts will certainly be bracing themselves for another heavyweight challenge here. Losing back-to-back showdowns at Loftus Road, Cifuentes’ men have also shown some glaring struggles in the final third. Notching just a single strike in any of their previous four outings, the Hoops are rightfully tipped as a major underdog this weekend.

As for the visitors, although Bournemouth might have opened the 2023/24 campaign in the midst of their own crisis, Andoni Iraola’s men have come roaring back in a remarkable fashion. Only continuing to gain a string of plaudits and skyrocketing their way up the Premier League table, some around the Vitality are now dreaming of the chance to punch a top-half finish. Riding what has been a stunning wave of momentum and with the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, there is no doubt that Saturday’s guests will be smelling a golden chance to make another statement here. Despite eventually getting hit with a 3-1 loss at the hands of Tottenham last time out, that is the only top-flight defeat that Iraola’s squad have suffered from their previous eight showdowns. Breezing past both Manchester United and Newcastle on their famous flurry, it should also be noted that Bournemouth have registered 12 points from their last five contests away from the Vitality. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class, we are backing an away win here.

Bet: Bournemouth 5/11 to beat QPR in Saturday’s FA Cup showdown @ Pribet