QPR v Reading – Match Preview

With both teams searching for their first league win of the season, QPR and Reading will see this fixture as a great opportunity to build some confidence heading into the next round of Premier League games. QPR are likely to field several changes to allow fringe and youth players valuable match time to impress the gaffer. Adel Taarabt and Samba Diakite have struggled for fitness and haven’t featured much this season. They will be hoping to play tonight and more importantly impress. Mark Hughes has promised to take the competition seriously this year and fielded a strong side in the 3-0 victory over Walsall in the previous round and it is expected he will do the same tonight.

This summer has seen QPR add plenty of depth to the squad and apart from in defence, where injuries have decimated Hughes’ options, the R’s have plenty of midfield and attacking players to choose from. Even if they drop 3 or 4 players from the side that faced Spurs, the R’s could still name a side that would’ve been better than the starting eleven of last season. All that is left now is for QPR to start picking up the league wins, which is sure to come such is the quality in the squad and the swagger with which they are now playing. A win tonight against Premier League opposition will go a long way to restoring a winning mentality going into the West Ham match next week.

Last Fixture

Spurs 2 (Faurlin og, Defoe)
QPR 1 (Zamora)

Team: Cesar, Bosingwa (Dyer), Onuoha, Hill, Nelsen, Faurlin, Granero, Wright-Phillips (Mackie), Park Ji-Sung, Hoilett, Zamora (Cisse).

WBA 1 (Lukaku)
Reading 0

Team: McCarthy, Gunter (Robson-Kanu), Shorey, Pearce, Gorkss, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Guthrie, Pogrebnyak (Hunt), Le Fondre, McCleary.

QPR Team News:

Mark Hughes is expected to ring the changes from Sunday’s defeat to Spurs. Adel Taarabt, Samba Diakite and Djibril Cisse will all be hoping to start. Defenders Jose Bosingwa, Anton Ferdinand, Armand Traore and Fabio are all out injured. Andy Johnson is a long term absentee.

Possible line up:

Player to watch: Kieron Dyer

It is well documented that last weekend was the first time Kieron Dyer played over 90 minutes in one match since 2010 and it must be said he was rather impressive. Dyer came on as a first half substitute for the injured Jose Bosingwa and slotted in at right-back. Dyer more than coped defensively and looked a real threat going forward, showing signs of the quality Premier League footballer that he was famed for in his youth. His touch was immaculate and his decision making was excellent. Dyer keeps possession really well, which is now a growing trend in our side and I think providing he can stay fit (which is a big if) then he is an asset to the squad. Tonight, I could see Dyer really bombing forward and troubling Ian Harte should he be selected. If Harte isn’t playing then I still expect Dyer to cause the opposing player real problems.

Reading Team News:

Jimmy Kebe could feature. Jason Roberts (calf) and Adam Federici (knee) are the two players unavailable to Reading boss Brian McDermott.

Possible line up:

Player to watch: Pavel Pogrebnyak

Pavel Pogrebnyak has been identified as the player to watch ahead of Wednesday`s cup match against Reading.

For Vital QPR’s comprehensive review of the attackerClick Here >>>

The Stat Attack

LAST FIVE

Queens Park Rangers: DWLDL
Reading: DLWLL

HEAD 2 HEAD

Queens Park Rangers: 27
Reading: 36
Draw: 17

LAST TIME OUT

Championship – 04/02/11
Madejski Stadium

Reading 0
QPR 1 (Routledge)

Team: Kenny, Hill, Orr, Gorkss, Connolly, Derry, Taarabt (Vaagan Moen), Faurlin, Routledge (Hall), Ephraim (sent off), Hulse (Miller).

Attendance: 18,982

Ref Watch:

Referee: R East
Assistants: S Burt & C Breakspear
Fourth Official: F Graham

Roger East is the match official for tonight`s game. Last season East issued 124 yellow cards and 6 red cards in 45 games.

Match Prediction:

QPR will be hoping for another positive performance after their impressive first half display against Spurs. QPR capitalised on AVB’s tactical naivety by dominating the midfield early on and were unlucky not take any points from the match. Should the R’s name Faurlin and Granero in the side, then Reading will be dominated in the middle. The pair have struck up an impressive partnership and look a genuine match for the very best centre midfield pairings in the league. Zamora should start as there isn’t another option for a target man, which is why I would’ve kept Heider Helguson for another year. That said though, I think QPR have more depth to their squad than Reading, hence why I think they will win the battle of the squad rotations tonight. Reading always perform with a terrific attitude, it was intrinsic to their success last season and I expect more of the same from them this evening. They will be a real test tonight but one that QPR should pass.
2-0 QPR win. Granero and Mackie to score.

Next Up

Who: West Ham United
Where: Loftus Road
When: 01/10/12