Man City v QPR: Goals expected in comfortable City win

Man City grab a late winner v QPR in last season's thrilling contest
Feizal Rahman previews Saturday's late kick-off and he believes that although City might not win by a 3-2 scoreline again, there should still be plenty of goals at the Etihad...
Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers, KO: Saturday 17:30, ESPN, Match Odds: Man City 1.222/9, QPR 18.017/1, The Draw 7.87/1
Manchester City take on QPR at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday evening in a rematch of last season's final day thriller. A last-gasp goal from striker Sergio Aguero in the dying seconds of that contest handed the home side a 3-2 victory and their first Premier League title.
However, Roberto Mancini's squad will be without the Argentinean for this match - Aguero still sidelined with a knee injury sustained in the season opener. QPR, meanwhile, will miss midfielder Samba Diakite who has returned home to France to deal with personal issues.
Match Odds
Before Sunday's draw at Liverpool, Manchester City were on a run of seven Premier League wins that followed their last league defeat at Arsenal back in April. However, Opta note that the champions are unbeaten in 30 games at the Etihad, dropping points in just two of those.
Managed by former City boss, Mark Hughes, QPR got off to a horrendous start to the season with a 5-0 thrashing at home to Swansea. Having made several new signings, the West Londoners will hope to avoid the relegation battle they faced last term, retaining their top flight status by a solitary point.
However, the Hoops were the worst away team in the league last season, losing 14 games in total and Opta reveal that they have taken just three points from the last 42 available on the road and have averaged just a point per fixture, home and away, throughout 2012.
Historically, QPR have a decent record at City with three victories in their last five visits prior to last season. However, the most recent of those wins came back in 2000 when Shaun Goater was the most glamorous name that City could boast among their squad.
City will be good for three points at 1.222/9 and should be able to do so with far less drama than the last time these two met. The champions won by at least two clear goals on 13 occasions at home last season and the Citizens are 2.01/1 to win this match with a -2.0 Asian Handicap.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
There was an average of 3.5 goals per league match at the Etihad last season with City themselves averaging 2.9. Opta state that QPR have gone 17 away games in the top flight without a clean sheet and have conceded 40 times during that sequence. Over 2.5 Goals is available at a short 1.42/5.
Five of the last nine meetings between these clubs in all competitions have resulted in at least four goals, including a 3-2 scoreline in both league games last term. City can be backed at 27.026/1 to repeat that outcome in the Correct Score market with Over 3.5 Goals on offer at 2.021/1.
Other Markets
There have been 37 goals scored in the last 10 league matches at the Etihad. However, only 11 of these were scored in the first 45 minutes and Under 1.5 First Half Goals is available at 1.865/6. City have led at half time by one goal in six of last eight at home and a 1-0 Half Time Score is 4.03/1.
Carlos Tevez has scored in each of his last three appearances for City and will be 5.04/1 to break the deadlock as First Goalscorer. However, midfield colossus, Yaya Toure, has netted four times in his previous five outings for City and is 3.02/1 To Score at any time.
Despite boasting the stingiest defence in the Premier League last term, the Citizens have conceded two goals in each of their last three league contests. Both Teams to Score could reward at 1.910/11 with Bobby Zamora - who hit the target in both starts for QPR this term - around 6.05/1 to find the net.
Recommended Bets
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.021/1
Back Under 1.5 First Half Goals @ 1.865/6
Back Both Teams to Score @ 1.910/11