QPR v Birmingham – Match Preview

After coming through two tough away trips at Bolton and Leeds, Harry Redknapp sets up camp at Loftus Road, as QPR look to continue their fine start with home games against Birmingham and Brighton. The new-look Rangers scrapped and fought to remain unbeaten in the league over August, an impressive achievement considering the huge turnaround in playing staff.

All top sides are built from the back and Redknapp has added steel and experience to great effect, with the likes of Richard Dunne and Danny Simpson slotting in seamlessly alongside Clint Hill and fans favourite Nedum Onuoha. Interestingly, no side have accumulated more clean sheets than QPR this season (3) and Redknapp and his coaching staff must take great credit for assembling a strong back five. However, during the five games so far, it must be said each game has been relatively even, with QPR just edging it, hence why the additions of Tom Carroll and Niko Kranjcar are very exciting. Both players are technically superb and will unlock defences in a heartbeat.

This season, Birmingham have struggled to find form, winning just once (v Yeovil on the 10th August) and look like they will be in for a long season. One of the bright sparks has been Chris Burke, who has scored in each of their last two league fixtures. Winger Shane Ferguson will certainly be a threat out wide, having assisted two goals for the Blues this season and created nine chances for his teammates; more than any other Birmingham player. Judging by the stats this season, Lee Clark`s side like to mix it up and have been booked 12 times, more than any other Championship team. So I`m expecting a physical contest from the Blues.

QPR Team News:

Harry Redknapp could hand debuts to several new signings. Matt Phillips and Tom Carroll will be hoping to feature.

Possible line up:

Player to watch: Tom Carroll

I`d be very tempted to start Tom Carroll in midfield against Birmingham but I don`t know whether it`s wise to break up an unbeaten side for the sake of accommodating new players. Yes, Carroll and Assou-Ekotto and Kranjcar are improvements on what we have in certain positions, but none of the current eleven deserve to be replaced just yet. Therefore, the option of Carroll coming off the bench against a tired Birmingham defence could be very handy for Redknapp. Should he feature regularly for us this season, based on what I`ve seen of him in the past, he will set the league alight.

Birmingham Team News:

Hayden Mullins is out with a calf injury but Paul Caddis could start.

Possible line up:

Player to watch: –

Stat’s Ya Lot

Queens Park Rangers are the only Championship side yet to concede in the second half this season.

Charlie Austin has mustered the most shots this season without scoring (15).

Birmingham City`s Paul Robinson is the Championship`s most booked player, being shown yellow four times so far this season.

Harry Redknapp`s men have won all four of the games in which they`ve taken the lead this season.



LAST FIVE

QPR: DWWLW
BIRMINGHAM: WDDLL

HEAD 2 HEAD

QPR: 15
BIRMINGHAM: 21
Draw: 13

LAST TIME OUT

Championship – 28/10/08
Loftus Road

QPR 1 (Di Carmine)
Birmingham 0

Team: Cerny, Stewart, Connolly, Hall, Leigertwood (S/O), Rowlands, Cook (Mahon), Tommasi, Di Carmine (Ephraim), Ledesma, Blackstock (Buzsaky).

Attendance: 13,594

Ref Watch:

Referee: Mike Jones
Assistants: Ron Ganfield & Ian Hussin
Fourth Official: Fred Graham

Mike Jones is the match official for Saturday`s game against the Blues. Last season, Jones issued 85 yellow cards and 3 red cards in 31 Premier League games.

Match Prediction:

2-0 Home win.

Next Up

Who: Brighton
Where: Loftus Road
When: 18/09/13