QPR welcome Newcastle to Loftus Road tomorrow for what will be the R’s last Premier League home game of the season and potentially for a while. No-one needs reminding what a bitterly disappointing season it has been but the one silver lining to come out of relegation being confirmed a few weeks ago is that it has given Harry Redknapp and the board a head start on their preparation for next season.
Recently, it was reported Redknapp was attending Championship matches (Palace in particular) to watch several players who have been flagged up for his attention. I find it encouraging that the manager is identifying young, hungry players like Dwight Gayle (Peterborough), who view QPR as a step up – the right type of signing for QPR if they are to rebuild sufficiently.
Worryingly, the super hoops have failed to score a single goal in four Premier League matches. Not the most encouraging signs ahead of tomorrow’s game. To continue the cheery stats, QPR also boast the worst home record in the league (W2 D8 L8). That said, QPR need to play for pride and for the fans who have shelled out lots of money to watch this current crop of players.
Interestingly, Newcastle have the third worst away record in the division, winning only once on their travels this season. With injuries to key players, not only do they look shaky at the back, they are depleted up top. It represents QPR’s best chance of picking up one last win this season.
QPR Team News:
Chris Samba is out with a hamstring injury. Shaun Wright-Phillips is out with an ankle injury that required surgery a few weeks back.
Possible line up:
Fabio – Onuoha – Hill -Traore
Townsend – Jenas – Granero – Taarabt
Remy – Zamora
Player to watch: Adel Taarabt
Adel may get a lot of stick and in most cases rightly so. He is just as likely to exhilarate as he to infuriate but five goals, five assists and 76 chances created for fellow team-mates suggest he is our most valuable attacking player and one worth standing by and supporting.
Newcastle Team News:
Moussa Sissoko is a major doubt due to an ankle complaint. Sylvain Marveaux and David Santon are doubts with groin and hamstring injuries respectively. Tim Krul (shoulder) and Ryan Taylor (knee) are long term absentees.
Possible line up:
Simpson – Coloccini -Yanga-M’Biwa – Taylor
Cabaye – Tiote
Gouffran – Ben Arfa – Gutierrez
Cisse
Player to watch: Fabricio Coloccini
Fabricio Coloccini has been identified as the player to watch ahead of the match against Newcastle.
For Vital QPR’s comprehensive review of the defenderClick Here >>>
The Stat Attack
LAST FIVE
Queens Park Rangers: DLLDL
Newcastle: DLDLD
HEAD 2 HEAD
Queens Park Rangers: 16
Newcastle: 21
Draw: 8
LAST TIME OUT
Premier League – 22/12/12
St James’ Park
Newcastle 1 (Ameobi)
QPR 0
Team: Green, Ferdinand, Hill, Nelsen, Fabio, Mbia, Granero (Wright-Phillips), Taarabt, Faurlin (Derry), Cisse (Hoilett), Mackie
Attendance: 50,180
Ref Watch:
Referee: Lee Probert
Assistants: Stuart Burt & Dave Bryan
Fourth Official: Paul Tierney
Lee Probert is the match official for tomorrow’s game against Newcastle. This season Probert has issued 99 yellow cards and 5 red cards in 32 games.
Match Prediction:
I don’t think QPR have enough confidence or spirit to secure a win tomorrow. Newcastle look just as unlikely to pick up three points, therefore i’m going for a draw. Originally, I thought it would be nil-nil but neither defence is particularly great so Remy and Cisse will fancy their chances to get on the scoresheet.
1-1Draw
Next Up
Who: Liverpool
Where: Anfield
When: 19/05/13