Saints failed to take numerous good chances that came their way in a game they dominated, and missed an opportunity to move out of the bottom three in the process.

Full report to follow…

Success and failure are always relative. And, by that token, we could suggest that QPR have had a more frustrating season than Saints so far. The Londoners began the campaign as joint title favourites - along with Birmingham - but, with the expected big money buys failing to materialise, they arrive at St Mary’s as outsiders to even grab a play-off spot. Furthermore, we can see some real gravity in backing Mark Wotte’s men to win their third game in four on home territory.

For all that early hype, Rangers are definitely one of the poorest away sides in the division. Only rock-bottom Charlton have won fewer league matches on their travels while just Plymouth and Barnsley have netted fewer away goals. Their backers could claim that all three victories on the road have come against struggling sides (Norwich, Derby and Blackpool) and that they have never lost at SMS (two wins and a draw) but we can easily counter that. Their last two away fixtures have resulted in defeats at Barnsley and Donny and the team have not won a Championship game since the end of January. This strongly suggests to me that they already have one eye on the end of the season and the R&R that goes with it.

Southampton may not be too extravagantly priced at 11/8 to take all three points but it is a firm selection for us.

We’ve already mentioned that QPR are not finding the net regularly this season (they have failed to score in eleven out of nineteen away games including eight in a row at one point) and Saints themselves are averaging less than a goal a game on this ground. That should lead us towards taking the 7/1 on offer for the 1-0 home victory but there are reasons for hoping that Saints can get a couple tomorrow. In three out of the last four away from Loftus Road, Rangers have leaked exactly two and these came at Forest, Barnsley and Donny. While recommending a small saver on 1-0, our main bet is for the 2-1 Saints win at best odds of 9/1.

Punters who backed Chris Perry to break the deadlock on Tuesday may consider themselves fortunate that their man was credited with his second 50/1 opener of the campaign. Bet365 and Betfred have the defender at the same price to make it a hat-trick of St Mary’s openers tomorrow but I am looking further up the lists. Jason Euell looks in respectable nick and we like the 11/1 on him scoring the final goal of the afternoon.

Mark Wotte has had a decent month so far and VC still make him a 6/1 shot to win the March Manager of the Month award.

Match Odds (best prices at time of writing)

Jason Euell - best-priced 11/1 for first/last goalscorer tomorrow

Saints: 11/8
QPR: 11/5
Draw: 12/5

Saints to win:
1-0 - 7/1
2-0 - 10/1
2-1 - 9/1
3-0 - 25/1
3-1 - 22/1

QPR to win:
1-0 - 15/2
2-0 - 16/1
2-1 - 12/1
3-0 - 40/1
3-1 - 33/1

Draw:
0-0 - 8/1
1-1 - 6/1
2-2 - 14/1

First/Last Goalscorer:
Marek Saganowski 6/1
David McGoldrick 13/2
Heidur Helguson 7/1
Dexter Blackstock 15/2
Bradley Wright-Phillips 9/1
Adam Lallana 10/1
Jason Euell 11/1
Wayne Routledge 14/1
Andrew Surman 14/1
Simon Gillett 25/1
Jan-Paul Saeijs 40/1
Fitz Hall 40/1
Chris Perry 50/1

Other Championship Odds

To be Relegated:
Charlton 1/25
Saints Evens
Norwich 11/10
Blackpool 12/5
Nottingham Forest 11/4
Barnsley 3/1
Plymouth 3/1
7/1 Bar

Title Race:
Wolves 6/4
Reading 9/4
Birmingham 3/1
Cardiff 9/1
Sheffield United 40/1

Olly Lancashire’s senior debut turned into a nightmare as he was sent off after just 30 minutes. Former Saint Dexter Blackstock scored twice to give Rangers a resounding winning scoreline, although Saints will feel the margin of victory wasn’t a fair reflection on the game.

Full report to follow…