Leeds v QPR – Match Preview

On Sky

QPR will want to put to bed the disappointment of Tuesday night`s cup exit to Swindon by continuing their fine league form away to Leeds this Saturday lunchtime. Rangers will need to be on top form if they are to take anything from their trip to Elland Road, as Leeds are one the six teams yet to taste defeat in the Championship this season. Harry Redknapp will look to recall the likes of Joey Barton, Karl Henry and Junior Hoilett to the side to ensure the R`s have the best possible chance of breaking down a dogged and resilient Leeds side. I`m expecting a performance akin to last week`s with QPR looking to sniff something out on the break. That said, if Junior Hoiilett starts, the R`s might be more positive in attack than against Bolton.

QPR`s recent record against Leeds doesn`t make for pleasant reading – no win in nine league matches (D3 L6), but the R`s shared a similar record against Bolton and defied the form book to win – a repeat of that would be ideal. However, judging by the games this season, QPR still need to play with more urgency, despite their unbeaten start. The fact that Swindon were the best side to face QPR this season tells you all you need to know about the quality of this league – or at least the standard of the opponents met so far. Again, the return of Junior Hoilett will certainly increase our threat going forward and when Matt Phillips is match fit, he will be a brilliant player for us at this level as well. Until then, QPR have made a strong start to the season but in terms of play, there is still room for improvement.

Leeds Team News:

Leeds have no new injury concerns. Tom Lees, Stephen Warnock and midfield pair Luke Murphy and Paul Green will also be vying for starts.

Possible line up:

Player to watch: –

QPR Team News:

Junior Hoilett could return following a spell out injured with a hamstring injury. Andrew Johnson is expected to start instead of Bobby Zamora.

Possible line up:

Player to watch: Rob Green

Many of the plaudits this season have gone the way of Junior Hoilett, Andrew Johnson and Joey Barton, and rightly so. But for me Rob Green has been just as important as the aforementioned players. He made two smart saves against Bolton, and in each match this season at some point Green has come to the rescue of the team. He does have the odd dodgy moment in his locker and his distribution could be improved but, they are minor facets of his game in comparison to his commanding aerial presence and excellent shot-stopping abilitY; a match winner at this level.

Stat Attack

Leeds are unbeaten in nine league matches against QPR, winning six and drawing three.

QPR have failed to score in their last three trips to Elland Road in the league.

The Whites have won three of the last four home matches against QPR in the second tier of English football (D1).

Against Bolton, Andrew Johnson scored his first league goal away from home since September 2011, a run of 14 away league games without a goal.

Ross McCormack has scored in four of his last five Championship appearances for Leeds United.

Leeds have accumulated seven points from losing positions this season; more than any other side.



LAST FIVE

Leeds: WDDWW
QPR: WDWWL

HEAD 2 HEAD

Leeds: 20
QPR: 15
Draw: 13

LAST TIME OUT

Championship – 07/05/11
Loftus Road

QPR 1 (Helguson)
Leeds 2 (Gradel, McCormack)

Team: Cerny, Orr, Hill (Ramage), Gorkss, Connolly, Derry, Buzsaky (Taarabt), Faurlin, Routledge, Smith, Helguson (Shittu).

Attendance: 18,234

Ref Watch:

Referee: Stuart Atwell
Assistants: Paul Hobday & William Smallwood
Fourth Official: Graham Salisbury

Stuart Atwell is the match official for Saturday`s televised game against the Whites. Last season, Atwell issued 126 yellow cards and 3 red cards in 43 games.

Match Prediction:

1-0Leeds win.

Next Up

Who: Birmingham
Where: Loftus Road
When: 14/08/13