QPR travel to Ipswich this weekend, as they look to get their promotion bid back on track. The R`s head into this one having won just once in their last five games (all comps), and it feels like a malaise has crept into recent performances. In terms of away form, Rangers have won just once in their last nine away games in all competitions, with their last win on the road coming at Blackpool on 14th December.
The Tractor Boys have been solid of late, going nine games without defeat in all competitions, last losing to Leicester City in November. During that run, Mick McCarthy`s men have won four and drawn five, with each of their last three home games finishing 1-1.
David McGoldrick will need to be watched closely, as the former Forest striker has netted five goals in his last seven matches for Ipswich. Their left-back Aaron Cresswell is a player I admire and has already made nine assists this term; no Championship player has assisted more.
Tomorrow, I hope QPR play with more tempo when they have the ball. For the majority of the season, Redknapp`s side have passed it for the sake of passing, taking an extra touch on the ball or going backwards rather than forwards. It is essential to keep the ball but what`s the point if you`re not going to do anything with it?
However, when they`ve really attacked teams (e.g. the second half at Blackpool), they suddenly looked worthy of the promotion favourites tag, with players like Matty Phillips springing into life. More of that urgency is needed if Rangers are to push on and become a dominant force in this division.
Ipswich Team News:
Ipswich are sweating on the fitness of strikers Daryl Murphy and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
Possible line up:
CHAMBERS – SMITH – BERRA – CRESSWELL
ANDERSON – SKUSE – TABB – TAYLOR
MURPHY – MCCGOLDRICK
Player to watch: –
QPR Team News:
Junior Hoilett is a doubt with a hamstring injury. Rob Green is expected to return to the starting XI.
Possible line up:
SIMPSON – DUNNE – ONUOHA – ASSOU-EKOTTO
BARTON – O`NEILL
PHILLIPS – JENAS – KRANJCAR
AUSTIN
Player to watch: –
Match Facts & Stats
Ipswich have lost just once in their last six home games to QPR in league competition, though this arrived in the most recent fixture (W3 D2).
QPR have won their last three league games against Ipswich, scoring six and conceding none.
Ipswich have scored three times in the opening five minutes of matches this season; a league-high.
Charlie Austin has been directly involved in 50% of QPR`s goals this season, scoring 11 and assisting two.
Only Birmingham`s Paul Robinson (9) has been booked more times this season than Joey Barton (8).
LAST FIVE
IPSWICH: DWDDD
QPR: LLDWL
HEAD 2 HEAD
IPSWICH: 28
QPR: 24
Draw: 18
LAST TIME OUT
Championship – 17/08/13
Loftus Road
QPR 1 (Hitchcock)
Ipswich 0
Team: Green, Simpson, Hill, Dunne, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips, Barton Henry (Jenas), Hoilett (O`Neill), Austin, Zamora (Hitchcock).
Attendance: 17,075
Ref Watch:
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistants: David Bryan & Constantine Hatzidakis
Fourth Official: Fred Graham
Premier League ref Phil Dowd is the match official for tomorrow`s clash against the Tractor Boys. This season, Dowd has issued 86 yellow cards and 1 red card in 19 games.
Match Prediction:
1-1 Score Draw. Austin goal.
Next Up
Who: Huddersfield Town
Where: Loftus Road
When: 18/01/14