EPL Week 17: Betting Tips for Queens Park Rangers vs. Sunderland Match-Up

With both sides coming off losses last week, this game stands as a great opportunity to get a win and some momentum heading into the festive season.

QPR were beaten by a far more dominant side in Manchester United, and will still great heart from their defeat. As too will Sunderland, who held off Tottenham Hotspur for over an hour, before falling 1-0.

With valuable points on the line in this one, and with both teams thinking they should be able to win, this could get interesting match-up.

Whether you're a die-hard supporter or just a casual observer, here are five hot-to-trot, money-making tips that are sure to make this game is even greater for you.

1. QPR to Win

At home this year, the Rangers have struggled of late.

They've won on only one such occasion this year. However, the points they have dropped this season have been against sides such as Newcastle, Aston Villa, and both Manchester clubs.

Sunderland are simply not in the same class as these sides, and they won't pose any real threat on the road to a QPR side that will be desperate for a victory in front of the faithful home crowd.

They have only scored six away goals for the year —a third of their total goals for the year—and have lost almost two thirds of their road games.

Whilst QPR are averaging less than a goal per game at home, and after considering the class of the sides they have played at home so far, they should prove to be too good for a Sunderland side that is firmly positioned in the relegation zone.

2. QPR to Score the First Goal

Again, looking at QPR's goal scoring feats, there's not a lot to write home about.

But, if you think that's bad, then look at Sunderland.

They've conceded more than half of their goals allowed in the first half of games, and have only scored the first goal in a quarter of their matches. Meanwhile, their opponents have scored first in almost two thirds of these games. In addition, QPR virtually never lead at halftime.

QPR have scored most of their goals in the first half, and have scored nearly half of their total goals in the opening half hour of the game.

Take QPR to score the first goal of the game, and expect it to happen some time prior to halftime.

3. QPR HT Result and QPR FT Result

It makes logical sense then to take the HT result as a QPR lead. And, QPR will still remain ahead come the final whistle.

Whilst Sunderland have scored more than half of their goals in the second half—and about three-quarters of these goals coming in the final fifteen minutes of play—they are not good enough to get past a QPR defense that has proved more than capable of holding on to a small lead or a draw.

Take QPR to hold on to their halftime lead and build it in to a victory.

4. Under 2.5 Goals for the Game

Both sides this year have been lacking offensively.

As a result, both have lost games because they have an inability to score a goal to take the lead or bridge back a deficit.

Whilst this might seem like an obvious statement, its truth will result in another low-scoring affair between these two on Wednesday night.

With three-quarters of QPR's home games going under 2.5 goals, and almost two-thirds of Sunderland's away games doing the same, the "under" looks like a safe play in this one.

5. Final Score: QPR 1 Sunderland 0

With a low-scoring game and the possibility of an early Queens Park Rangers goal, take the final score to be a 1-0 QPR victory.

This is the same scoreline that QPR defeated Chelsea by at home earlier in the year. And, on the road, Sunderland have lost by this scoreline in a quarter of their matches.

Heioar Helguson has been the goal-scoring man for the Rangers this year, netting home a third of his teams total goals so far. And, he will be the go-to-guy should a penalty situation arise.

For those feeling ambitious, take the "Helguson / 1-0 QPR combo."

But for the average bettor, just take the 1-0 QPR victory, as the Rangers will chalk out another hard-fought victory in front of the home crowd.