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Arsenal will look to make amends for their dropped points against Wolves on Monday when they play hosts to QPR on Saturday.
The Gunners missed the chance to move into the top four with the 1-1 draw against Mick McCarthy’s side as Chelsea dropped points against Fulham on Boxing Day to leave the gap between the two sides at one point, and now they’ll hope that lightning strikes twice and they can take advantage by moving into the Champions League spots this time round.
Arsene Wenger will be pleased with his side’s powers of recovery after a shocking start to the season, with the north London outfit accumulating 26 points from their last twelve games since October.
If they are able to maintain that form across the remainder of the season it would have been enough to win them the title last season, however now Wenger has his sights set firmly on a top four finish another trophy-less season looks in store for the Gunners.
Wenger will decide whether to risk playing the on-fire Robin Van Persie, who only requires two more goals to break the Premier League record set by Alan Shearer of most goals scored in a calendar year.
Wenger may be tempted to take full advantage of his strength in depth up front before the likes of Gervihno and Marouane Chamakh head of the African Cup of Nations and leave the Dutchman on the bench.
QPR meanwhile have fallen alarmingly down the table and towards the relegation zone since their last win at Stoke, with their winless streak now at six games following their 1-1 draw with Swansea on Tuesday.
They now sit just two points above the relegation zone having won just two of their last ten games in the Premier League, form that will alarm boss Neil Warnock into action in the January transfer window.
One bright spot for the Hoops has been the re-emergence of Ade Tarrabt, who looked back to his sparkling best with a virtuoso performance against the Swans.
That performance was a million miles away from the sulky player who has been a shadow of the man that helped drive QPR to promotion last season, and Warnock will now that his side stands a much better chance of survival if they have the Moroccan international firing on all cylinders.
Shaun Wright-Philips looks set to return to action for QPR while Arsenal’s own speed merchant on the wing, Theo Walcott should feature having overcome the illness that ruled him out of the draw with Wolves.
Match Winner
Despite their recent slip up against Wolves, Arsenal are overwhelming favourites to at least put them in contention of heading into 2012 in a top four spot.
The Gunners are placed at 1.30 (3/10) by VC Bet to emerge victorious while QPR are long shots at 13.00 (12/1) with SkyBet.
The draw is best placed at 6.00 (5/1) with Ladbrokes.
First Goalscorer
With a question mark hanging over the head of Robin Van Persie’s participation, the first goal scorer market has taken on a whole new complexion.
The Dutchman remains at 3.25 (9/4) with BetFred, but perhaps a safer bet is Gervihno, a man sure to start, at 6.50 (11/2) with the same bookmaker.
Heidar Helguson has been in excellent form for QPR this season and is a reasonable shout at 17.00 (16/1) with @ Paddy Power, while former Gunner Jay Bothroyd is also 17.00 (16/1) with Bet365 to gain revenge on his former employers
Recommended Bets
First Goalscorer: Gervihno, 6.50 (11/2) BetFred
Half-time/full-time: draw/Arsenal, 4.50 (7/2) BetFred
