On Sky
QPR welcome title holders Manchester United to Loftus Road tomorrow lunchtime for the first of three televised games on Sky. QPR are desperately in need of points as the bottom half of the table is starting to tighten up, although, the prospect of beating United is still somewhat unlikely. QPR have performed well when being labelled the underdogs and one thing is for sure, the Super Hoops will definitely cause United problems during the ninety minutes.
Sir Alex Ferguson has the opportunity to take his side to the top of league should they beat the R`s, which will surely provide sufficient motivation for his players to put in a decent performance at Loftus Road tomorrow. With injuries piling up, the pressure to spend in the upcoming January transfer window is mounting but the defiant Ferguson is refusing to panic, trusting the ability of his youngsters.
From an objective point of view, United clearly lack a creative force in midfield and are having to rely on Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones fill the gap left by Paul Scholes this season. The absence of Darren Fletcher will definitely hurt them as his experience would`ve been vital in a game of this ilk. QPR will pose a difficult challenge for United`s young guns and I think it will be a more even game than initially expected.
Last Fixture
Liverpool 1 (Suarez)
QPR 0
Team: Cerny, Young, Traore, Ferdinand (Orr), Gabbidon, Barton, Faurlin, Mackie (Hill), Wright-Phillips, Smith (Campbell), Bothroyd
Man Utd 4 (Rooney x2, Nani x2)
Wolves 1 (Fletcher)
Team: De Gea, Evra (Fryers), Ferdinand, Evans, Smalling, Jones, Carrick, Nani (Young), Valencia, Rooney, Welbeck (Macheda)
QPR Team News:
DJ Campbell could be handed his first start since October having successfully recovered from his latest injury. Anton Ferdinand is a doubt after coming off against Liverpool. Kieron Dyer is out for the season after damaging his foot in a reserve game this week.
Possible line up:
Young – Connolly – Gabbidon -Traore
Mackie – Barton – Faurlin – Wright-Phillips
Bothroyd – Helguson
Player to watch: Heider Helguson
QPR welcome back leading scorer Heider Helguson to the starting line up. The Icelandic player of the year was rested against Liverpool, purely as a precautionary measure but is now fit and ready for the United game. Helguson already has six goals to his name this season and has defied his critics by leading the line with tremendous courage and guile. Against Liverpool, QPR seemed toothless up top but with Helguson back in the team, the R’s will certainly have more menace going forward.
Manchester United Team News:
Sir Alex Ferguson faces a defensive reshuffle due to Nemanja Vidic`s injury. The injury list continues to grow at Old Trafford as Darren Fletcher has been placed on indefinite leave due to a longstanding bowel condition.
Possible line-up:
Smalling – Ferdinand – Evans – Evra
Valencia – Jones – Giggs – Nani
Rooney – Welbeck
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
Vital QPR has singled out Wayne Rooney as the One to Watch this weekend
To read our profile of the player Click Here >>>
The Stat Attack
LAST FIVE
Queens Park Rangers: LWLDL
Manchester United: DLWLW
HEAD 2 HEAD
Queens Park Rangers: 6
Manchester United: 28
Draw: 13
LAST TIME OUT
League Cup – 11/11/08
Old Trafford
Man Utd 1 (Tevez pen)
QPR 0
Team: Cerny, Ramage, Hall, Connolly, Stewart, Buzsaky (Agyemang), Rowlands, Parejo (Ledesma), Mahon, Cook (Di Carmine), Blackstock
Attendance: 63,539
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr H Webb
Assistants: D Cann & A Garratt
Fourth Official: A Marriner
Howard Webb is the match official for Sunday`s game. This season Webb has issued 72 yellow cards and 4 red cards in 18 games.
Match Prediction:
It is games like this that make the prospect of Premier League football so attractive, although, in all honesty even with United`s injury concerns they should win the game fairly comfortably. The pressure will be off QPR and with United licking their wounds from their recent Champions League exit, the focus is on them to deliver in the league. I don`t know if QPR have enough about them at this stage of the season to beat United. They are starting to look a little exhausted in terms of imagination in front of goal and reinforcements are sorely needed to re-energise the R`s and combat their recent form.
1-2 Away Win.
Next Up
Who:Sunderland
Where:Loftus Road
When:21/12/11 – 20:00