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QPR v Spurs – Match Preview

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Tomorrow evening, QPR welcome Harry Redknapp`s Spurs to Loftus Road for what is a hugely decisive game for both club`s immediate future. After hours of procrastination over the bottom team`s fixtures and how it all might pan out, I feel, along with many other fans that we need to win both our home games just to stand a chance of survival. Unfortunately, such is the state of our league position and lack of fixtures left, Spurs at home has now become a must win which will make the game very nerve-wracking. In fairness to the R`s, they have performed better against the bigger sides which could again work in our favour tomorrow.

Tottenham have been on a poor run which has seemingly coincided with the speculation linking Harry Redknapp to the England job. Spurs have won only twice in their last nine games and look like a team that have run out of gas. In the first half of the season, many had Spurs challenging for the title but something has gone wrong of late and here`s hoping it continues for at least one more week. Of course, on paper the men from White Hart Lane boast a far superior squad than ours. Rafael Van Der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric would grace any top side and have proven to be the key men this year along with Scott Parker. This could prove to be a very memorable game.

Last Fixture



WBA 1 (Dorrans)
QPR 0

Team: Kenny, Onuoha, Taiwo (Traore), Hill, Ferdinand, Barton, Diakite, Derry (Wright-Phillips), Mackie, Taarabt (Helguson), Zamora.

Spurs 1 (Bale)
Chelsea 5 (Drogba, Mata, Ramires, Lampard, Malouda)

Team: Cudicini, Walker, Assou-Ekotto, Gallas, King, Bale, Lennon, Modric, Parker (Sandro), Van Der Vaart (Defoe), Adebayor.

QPR Team News:

Djibril Cisse returns from his four match suspension and could be handed a starting role. Heider Helguson and Armand Traore are also fully fit and vying for a starting position.

Possible line up:

Kenny

Onuoha – Hill – Ferdinand – Taiwo

Mackie – Barton – Diakite – Taarabt

Cisse – Zamora

Player to watch: Djibril Cisse

Should Djibril Cisse be thrown straight into the side, it will be interesting to see if he can remain composed. Ironically, Cisse appears to be his most composed when in front of goal, anywhere else on the pitch and he is very unpredictable. In my opinion, he needs to start tomorrow. He is the best forward at the club and could even be considered world class. We are lucky to have such quality at the club; it`s just a travesty that the man has let himself and the fans down with two moments of stupidity. More goals will certainly go a long way towards amending the damage caused by his suspensions.

Spurs Team News:

Harry Redknapp has a slight injury crisis on his hands with up to five players reportedly a doubt for tomorrow. Younes Kaboul and Niko Kranjcar are both out again but Brad Friedel returns to the starting line-up.

Possible line-up:

Friedel

Walker – King – Gallas – Assou-Ekotto

Lennon – Parker – Van Der Vaart – Modric – Bale

Adebayor

Player to watch: Gareth Bale

Vital QPR has singled out Gareth Bale as the One to Watch

To read our profile of the player Click Here >>>

The Stat Attack

LAST FIVE

Queens Park Rangers: LWLWL
Spurs: WWDLL

HEAD 2 HEAD

Queens Park Rangers: 13
Spurs: 19
Draw: 16

LAST TIME OUT

Premier League – 30/10/11
White Hart Lane

Spurs 3 (Van Der Vaart, Bale x2,)
QPR 1 (Bothroyd)

Team: Kenny, Hall (Gabbidon), Traore, Young, Ferdinand, Derry (Bothroyd), Taarabt (Mackie), Faurlin, Barton, Wright-Phillips, Helguson.

Attendance: 36,147

Ref Watch:

Referee: M Clattenburg
Assistants: S Beck & S Child
Fourth Official: L Probert

Mark Clattenburg is the match official for tomorrow`s game. This season Clattenburg has issued 104 yellow cards and 7 red cards in 33 games.

Match Prediction:

I think QPR need to adopt a slightly different strategy than what they used against Swansea and Arsenal. Elements from those performances need to be implemented though. For example, the disciplined team shape and ball retention will prove crucial if we are to hurt Spurs both defensively and offensively. I feel this Spurs side are there for the taking which is why we should be more adventurous. They are deflated and looking very tired. Defenders Ledley King and William Gallas look like they are ready for the knacker`s yard which is why part of me thinks we should play two upfront and really go at them. Having said that, Redknapp`s men are devastating on the counter attack which leads me to believe, the robust formation used against Swansea could be more effective if we are planning to shut out Spurs. Mark Hughes has some fascinating decisions to make ahead of this game.

2-2 End to end drama.

Next Fixtures:

Who:Chelsea

Where:Stamford Bridge

When:29/04/12 – 13:30

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