Cup Destiny Settled Tonight

THE time is here and the time is now as Queens Park Rangers look once and for all to banish their horrendous FA Cup record.

As has been well-documented Rangers have fallen by the wayside in the world-famous domestic cup competition to sides ranging from Chelsea to Vauxhall Motors – making for the poorest recent record in the league.

The last victory came against Luton Town in 2001 after a replay, but the subsequent 6-0 home crushing by Arsenal was the start of a dismal run leading us to this evening.

Paul Hart is keen that Rangers players earn the right to play their football, and this evening will undoubtedly provide a stern test of their battling credentials in a winner takes all fixture.

Kevin Blackwell has already nailed his colours to the mast, keen to protect some of his more influential players with the likes of Darius Henderson and Matthew Kilgallon nursing knocks and not to be risked.

The last time the two sides faced off was the last fixture for both sides with the snow putting pay to a wealth of fixtures across the board.

Both sides will be raring to get away from the training field and back onto the pitch as the magic of the FA Cup graces Loftus Road this evening.

Last Fixture

Sheffield United 1 (Cresswell 45)
QPR 1 (Simpson 39)

Team: Radek Černý, Peter Ramage, Damion Stewart, Mikele Leigertwood, Wayne Routledge, Ákos Buszáky (Hogan Ephraim), Patrick Agyemang (Heidar Helguson 85), Kaspars Gork?s, Matthew Connolly, Alejandro Faurlín, Jay Simpson, Gary Borrowdale

Sheffield United 1 (Cresswell 45)
QPR 1 (Simpson 39)

Team: Mark Bunn, Nick Montgomery, Chris Morgan, Matthew Kilgallon (Marcel Seip 46), Ched Evans, Andy Taylor, Richard Cresswell, Jamie Ward (Glen Little 87), Derek Geary, Stephen Quinn (Lee Williamson 78), Henri Camara

QPR Team News:

Paul Hart may look to make changes to the side that were held to a draw by Sheffield United, with more players becoming available.

Radek Černý will start in goal, with loan stopper Carl Ikeme ineligible due to the terms of his deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Kaspars Gork?s and Damion Stewart should remain the preferred defensive partnership with Peter Ramage and Gary Borrowdale set to continue in their respective full-back berths.

Wayne Routledge and Ákos Buzsáky are set to keep their places out-wide, with Alejandro Faurlín and Mikele Leigertwood set to retain their places through the middle.

Adel Taarabt could return from an injury complaint to take his place in the side behind lone striker Jay Simpson.

Martin Rowlands (knee), Gavin Mahon (knee), Gareth Ainsworth (calf) and Lee Cook (knee) remain sidelined.

Possible line up:

Player to watch: Wayne Routledge

Wayne Routledge put in a decent performance against Sheffield United a couple of weeks ago and is the man feared by the Blades.

The wide-man enjoyed an excellent start to the season in a more roaming role behind the front-man, but when asked to stick to the flank his form has suffered as a result.

Routledge will be looking to attack his respective full back – possibly former Rangers loanee Andy Taylor, and get some joy down the right.

To read his career profile Click Here >>>

Sheffield United Team News:

Who R Ya? >>>

Mark Bunn is set to continue in goal with Derek Geary and Andy Taylor once again expected to continue in their full back berths, with Kyle Walker (thigh) expected to be omitted.

With Matt Kilgallon (hamstring) out Marcel Seip is set to make his full debut alongside skipper Chris Morgan. Glenn Little could be expected to deputise for Jamie Ward down the right – who has taken a knock.

Stephen Quinn could start down the left flank in the absence of Jordan Stewart with Lee Williamson expected to return to the middle alongside Nick Montgomery.

Darius Henderson (gluteal muscle) and Henri Camara (groin) are expected to miss out with Richard Cresswell and Ched Evans set to continue up front.

Possible line-up:

Player to watch: Richard Cresswell

Blades forward Richard Cresswell has been outlined as the One to Watch ahead of this evening’s clash with QPR at Loftus Road.

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United front-man appears to be the nearly man of football, having good spells at various clubs but never truly achieving his potential.

His longest spell at Preston North End could be deemed his most successful, leading them twice to the playoffs – and he also has a good record against Queens Park Rangers.

To read our profile of the forward Click Here >>>

The Stat Attack

LAST FIVE

Queens Park Rangers: D D W L D
Sheffield United:W D L W D

HEAD 2 HEAD

Queens Park Rangers: 15
Sheffield United: 13
Draw: 18

LAST TIME OUT

FA Cup – 03-01-2010
Bramall Lane

Sheffield United: 1 (Cresswell 45)
Queens Park Rangers 1 (Simpson 39)

Team: Radek Černý, Peter Ramage, Damion Stewart, Mikele Leigertwood, Wayne Routledge, Ákos Buszáky (Hogan Ephraim), Patrick Agyemang (Heidar Helguson 85), Kaspars Gork?s, Matthew Connolly, Alejandro Faurlín, Jay Simpson, Gary Borrowdale

SEE ALSO:

QPR 1-0 Sheffield United – 25-10-1975
Sheffield United 1-1 QPR – 14-11-1970

Ref Watch:

Referee: Mr Andy Woolmer (Northants)

Assistants: Mr Michael McCoy (W Sussex) & Mr Mike George (Norfolk)

Fourth Official: Mr Christopher Sarginson (Staffs)

Andy Woolmer will take charge of this evening’s clash between Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield United in the FA Cup.

The official finally broke through to the National List of Officials fully 20 years after embarking on his refereeing career at the age of 16.

He has taken charge of Rangers twice before against Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley, and has established himself as a card merchant in recent seasons.

To read our report on the official Click Here >>>

Match Prediction:

2-1 QPR

The importance of this game should not be understated as Rangers search for a confidence boosting victory.

In what has become a long-running saga between the two sides about as gripping as watching paint dry, it sadly must all come to an end this evening.

Rangers should have enough about them in an attacking capacity to see off a negative Sheffield United side, despite their talent on the counter-attack.

Predictions:

toboboly: 2-1 QPR

IRONMAN_11 1-0 QPR

southernhoop: 0-0 Draw – Full Time

griffqpr: 2-1 QPR

jezza99: 1-1 Draw

Ranger1975: 2-1 Blades

Guttermouth: 2-1 QPR

LeeCookFan: 2-1 QPR

dustman: 1-1 Draw – QPR Pens

QPR4Me: 2-0 QPR

Superhoop50: 1-1 Draw

ImSitiv: 1-1 Draw – Blades Win

Daxvondrac: 3-1 QPR

danielqpr: 1-1 Draw

nomar: 1-0 Blades

stuqpr: 1-1 QPR

FA CUP PREDICTION LEAGUE – REPLAYS >>>

BEAT THE CLOCK >>>

Next Up

Teams: Blackpool v QPR

Date: Saturday January 16, 2010 – 3.00pm

Ground: Bloomfield Road, Blackpool