QUEENS Park Rangers will welcome back two former players in Lee Camp and Dexter Blackstock as they search for their first win of the campaign.
Two players that are well accustomed to both sides of the coin at Loftus Road were firm fans favourites in their time in W12. After falling out of favour with the Rangers set-up both made their way to the City Ground, initially on loan then subsequently made permanent.
They are two of many inclusions in Billy Davies` side as they resemble their rivals Derby County in last summer`s spending spree. However like QPR they are without a win thus far in the Championship as the new additions continue to bed in.
While the additions have been numerous with a vibrant attacking line-up including Adebola, McGoldrick, Earnshaw, Garner and numerous others, little attention has been paid to the defence with rumours of Dan Shittu falling by the way-side and six goals shipped in three games so far.
It makes for an interesting encounter with Rangers profligacy well documented in recent times, and Magilton will undoubtedly be looking to convert spells of excellent possession football into goals and ultimately victories – starting tomorrow.
Last Fixture
Bristol City 1 (Maynard 84)
QPR 0
Team: Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage, Fitz Hall, Damion Stewart, Gary Borrowdale, Wayne Routledge, Mikele Leigertwood, Alejandro Damián Faurlín (Heidar Helguson 85), Akos Buzsaky, Adel Taarabt (Rowan Vine 66), Patrick Agyemang (Alessandro Pellicori 67).
Nottingham Forest 2 (Blackstock 45, Adebola 87)
Watford 4 (Graham 31, Williamson 76, Smith 80, Cleverley 90)
Team: Lee Camp, Chris Gunter, Wes Morgan, Joel Lynch, Chris Cohen, Paul Anderson (David McGoldrick 64), Lewis McGugan (Radoslaw Majewski 26), Paul McKenna, Nathan Tyson, Dexter Blackstock (Dele Adebola 75), Robert Earnshaw.
QPR Team News:
Magilton may look for a tactical shake-up as Rangers host Nottingham Forest this weekend, with the boss surely due to revert to two up-front after a toothless showing against Bristol City on Tuesday.
Radek Cerny will once again begin in goal with Peter Ramage and Gary Borrowdale cementing their places at full back for the time being. Kaspars Gorkss must surely be recalled at the centre of defence after his surprising omission against the Robins, with Fitz Hall seemingly undroppable alongside him.
In midfield and Martin Rowlands could be in line for a sensational return after straining ankle ligaments on the opening day of the season. Gavin Mahon could also be in line to return to the starting line-up after Alejandro Faurlín played the vast majority of the weekday clash following his return from injury.
Wayne Routledge will look to continue his fine form on the right flank with Akos Buzsaky or Adel Taarabt likely to occupy the role of the left owing to the continued absence of Angelo Balanta. Hogan Ephraim and Matteo Alberti will also provide competition for the aforementioned duo.
Rangers are spoilt for choice in the strikers department, but with none of them coming to the fore and making themselves a solid first team option Jim looks set to rotate once more. Rowan Vine could start after impressing from the bench against Bristol City, while Alessandro Pellicori`s impact was also positive as he caused mayhem in the hosts` area with his aerial prowess.
Player to watch: Wayne Routledge
Wayne Routledge has proved impressive in recent games with his skilful wing-work combined with pacey and purposeful running.
The winger signed from Aston Villa in January has impressed in spells at Loftus Road but has finally found himself some consistency at the start of this campaign under Magilton.
Voted man of the match twice by Vital readers, Routledge has put many defenders to the sword while bagging an impressive hatrick against Exeter City in the Carling Cup.
While his form has been sporadic as previously mentioned, he will be looking to continue this purple patch in his career by giving Lynch et al a tough time in the Forest rearguard.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Who R Ya? >>>
Returning keeper Lee Camp will start at Loftus Road despite conceding four goals against relegation fodder Watford during the week. He will get a good hand from the fans at Loftus Road despite openly expressing his desire to leave the club.
Forest are boosted by the return of Luke Chambers following his completion of a three match ban and he will bolster a ailing back-line including summer captures Chris Gunter and Joel Lynch from Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively.
This weekend`s visitors were dealt a blow by the news that midfielder Lewis McGugan will be out for an extended period with a depressed fracture of his cheekbone, with Polish loanee Radoslaw Majewski set to start in his stead alongside Paul McKenna in the middle.
On the wings and Garath McCleary could be set to return following an ankle problem, but he faces competition from former Liverpool man Paul Anderson and converted strikers Nathan Tyson and David McGoldrick as Davies looks to rotate in order to keep his forwards happy.
Dexter Blackstock looks destined to start against his old side and in Dele Adebola and Robert Earnshaw he has players with good track records against Rangers.
Long-term absentees James Perch (shin), Kelvin Wilson (ankle), Julian Bennett (knee) and Guy Moussi (thigh) remain sidelined.
Player to watch: Dexter Blackstock
Former Queens Park Rangers front-man Dexter Blackstock has been outlined as the One to Watch as he returns to Loftus Road for the first time since his exit.
The striker has bagged two goals this season in three games as he starts the season in familiarly vibrant fashion. He will be looking to put his former employers to the sword and is sure to receive a warm welcome from the supporters.
To read our profile of the striker Click Here >>>
The Stat Attack
HEAD 2 HEAD
Queens Park Rangers: 14
Nottingham Forest: 24
Draw: 16
LAST TIME OUT
Coca Cola Championship – 07-02-2009
The City Ground
Nottingham Forest: 2 (McGugan 45pen, Cohen 67)
Queens Park Rangers: 2 (Alberti 45, 48)
Team: Lee Camp, Matthew Connolly, Damion Stewart, Kaspars Gorkss, Damien Delaney, Wayne Routledge, Mikele Leigertwood, Liam Miller (Hogan Ephraim 70), Gavin Mahon, Matteo Alberti (Angelo Balanta 83), Samuel Di Carmine (Dexter Blackstock 59)
SEE ALSO:
Queens Park Rangers 3-1 Nottingham Forest – 14-03-1987
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr J J Linington
Assistants: Mr D K Rock & M D Rowley
Fourth Official: Mr N Kinseley
Mr Linington from the Isle of Wight will referee his first QPR game this weekend against Nottingham Forest.
To read our report on the official Click Here >>>
Match Prediction:
Both sides have a point to prove coming into the clash one can expect a game of either end to end attacking football with little regard for potential defensive frailties – or of course it could be a negative affair with neither side prepared to hand the opposition the advantage.
The onus will be on the hosts, QPR, to come out of their shell early on and attack Forest in the manner they have done in spells recently. Dominating cameos against Bristol City and Blackpool weren`t enough to hand Rangers maximum points owing to a profligate front-line.
Forest`s defence could be the key to the encounter, as it was unable to withstand a barrage of attacks from an ordinary Watford side – and Rangers could look to exploit their weaknesses and get some confidence boosting goals for their strikers.
Predictions:
Boxer: 2-1 QPR
PaulaHoops: 2-2 Draw
LeeCookFan: 2-1 QPR
Beforerodney: 2-1 QPR
Superhoop50: 1-0 QPR
Danielqpr: 1-0 QPR
Clonmany_Hoop: 3-1 QPR
Cartouche: 2-1 QPR
Lenny367: 2-1 QPR
Toboboly: 1-1 Draw
Southernhoop: 1-1 Draw
CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION LEAGUE >>>
Next Up In W12
Teams: Queens Park Rangers v Accrington Stanley
Date: Tuesday August 25, 2009 – 7:45pm
Ground: Loftus Road, London.