Weekend betting: Preston North End can edge out QPR in close encounter

Preston head back to Deepdale for home comforts after an unsuccessful trip to the capital.

It looks like a routine win on paper but these games against mid-table sides at this stage of the season can be tricky.

QPR are clearly no mugs and with Jordan Hugill leading the line up front, they will be dangerous.

Positivity from the off will be needed and there is no Ben Pearson for a few weeks, but I fancy PNE to keep the play-offs dream well alive, possibly scoring late on to snatch a 1-0 home win.

For a first goalscorer, I fancy Sean Maguire to get on the scoresheet, which can be backed at 6/1.

The weekend before Cheltenham always tends to seem a quiet one in the bookmaking world, with people sat on their plans of attack for the next week.

That doesn’t alter the football though, with another big weekend upon us.

Starting in the top flight, Arsenal host neighbours West Ham in what looks like a routine home win according to the bookies.

They have improved since Mikel Arteta got the job and you would have to fancy them to win here.

The Gunners are a short price at 11/20 though it’s nice to stick a banker into your bets.

The other London derby sees Watford travel south of the river to Crystal Palace for what could be a massive game for both of them.

Palace got a big three points away at Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend though Watford got an 
unexpected win at home to Liverpool.

That should give the Hornets massive confidence and I fancy them to back it up and come away with another big win away at Palace.

At 2/1 it gives your bets a nice boost.

The third leg I have gone for is another banker with Wolves at home to Brighton, who are scrapping for 
their lives in the league and struggling for goals, 
not a nice combination.

They will have to go and take the game to Wolves if they are to get anything and that should play into the home teams hands.

They are ½ which is a short price of course but it tops treble up to 13/2 which would be a welcome earner the weekend before 
Cheltenham!

It always is a quiet 
weekend for the racing before Cheltenham, though the Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton provides some Listed action.

A horse I have been following for a while must have a great chance, CARDSHARP of Mark Johnston. He gets 7 furlongs no problem and a winner at York on form going last season, he should find this to his liking. He’s currently a 13/2 shot and should run a good race.

Have a great weekend folks.