R’s Plot Fox Hunt

On Sky

RANGERS return to home soil in a bid to extend their impeccable run in the Coca Cola Championship.

Their opponents are newly promoted Leicester City, who themselves are riding high in the second-tier since their return – something they can attribute to a solid defence.

The Foxes have conceded a mere 11 goals so far this season, contributing to their lofty position in the table. Seven goals from a rejuvenated Matty Fryatt this campaign has also been a contributing factor.

They will certainly meet their match in QPR who have racked up four goals in their last three games, and 13 in their last three at Loftus Road.

Their recent bid to tempt Edgar Davids to the Walkers Stadium has since fallen through, but they can call upon the talent of several proven Championship players to drive them forward.

The visitors to Loftus Road this evening will no doubt know that they have an opportunity to climb to joint top of the division, while Rangers need to win by four clear goals to ascend to second.

As the television crews once again descend on Loftus Road, Rangers can put on a show for the masses, but for the chattering nerves of supporters going two goals down for dramatic effect isn’t advised.

Last Fixture

Derby County 2 (Dickov 10, Savage 36)
QPR 4 (Taarabt 40, Mahon, 47, Simpson 59, Buzsáky 90pen)

Team:Radek Černý, Peter Ramage (Mikele Leigertwood 61), Kaspars Gork?s, Damion Stewart, Gary Borrowdale, Gavin Mahon, Alejandro Faurlín, Ákos Buzsáky, Adel Taarabt (Patrick Agyemang 75), Wayne Routledge, Jay Simpson (Rowan Vine 75).

Reading 0
Leicester City 1 (Waghorn 45)

Team: Chris Weale, Wayne Brown, Jack Hobbs, Robbie Neilson, Ryan McGivern, Andy King, Matthew Oakley, Richie Wellens, Paul Gallagher (Bruno Berner 85), Matthew Fryatt (Dudley Campbell 59), Martyn Waghorn (Steve Howard 59).

QPR Team News:

Jim Magilton still has an injury list to contend with despite the recent resurgence in form with several first-team players still missing.

Radek Černý will continue in goal, sitting behind central defenders Kaspars Gork?s and Damion Stewart, with Gary Borrowdale at left-back. There is a decision to make with regards to right full back with Mikele Leigertwood and Peter Ramage vying for the spot.

Leigertwood may be called into midfield with Gavin Mahon reportedly picking up a knock in training, and he would play alongside the impressive Alejandro Faurlín.

The tricky trio look set to rekindle their flourishing partnerships with Ákos Buzsáky, Wayne Routledge and Adel Taarabt on the trail for more goals behind in-form front-man Jay Simpson.

Angelo Balanta (groin), Hogan Ephraim (ankle) Martin Rowlands (knee), Matthew Connolly (glandular fever) and Alessandro Pellicori (knee) remain sidelined.

Possible line up:

Player to watch: Adel Taarabt

Adel Taarabt has proven his vast capabilities in recent fixtures, with a performance live on the BBC that will have undoubtedly seen Harry Redknapp sit up an take notice.

His creative game has continued to flourish, with the notable inclusion of incisive passing to his game, something for which he was criticised only a month ago.

Taarabt has proven himself an excellent member of the Rangers unit, and no doubt the R’s will be enquiring as to his availability come January, along with many other sides.

To read his career profile Click Here >>>

Leicester City Team News:

Who R Ya? >>>

Leicester have no fresh injury concerns heading into this weekend’s clash at Loftus Road, but may look to change things around after a lacklustre display despite winning against Reading.

Chris Weale will continue in goal with the formidable back-line of Robbie Neilson, Jack Hobbs, former R’s loanee Wayne Brown and Manchester City loan-man Ryan McGivern.

While Paul Gallagher has a decent goalscoring record at this level, he looks set to start wide, with Andy King poised to occupy the other flank. Richie Wellens and Matthew Oakley could be the partnership of choice in the middle despite summer signing Dany N’Guessan impressing since joining.

Matty Fryatt will surely be allowed to get his goalscoring record back on track with Martyn Waghorn set to be given an opportunity to partner him for his second start of the season despite Steve Howard and QPR fan Dudley Campbell waiting in the wings.

Aleksandar Tunchev and Stephen Clemence remain sidelines with long-term complaints.

Possible line-up:

Player to watch: Matty Fryatt

Vital QPR has outlined Foxes front-man Matty Fryatt as the One to Watch this evening at Loftus Road.

The former Walsall and Carlisle United front-man has come back to the Championship with a bang after being relegated without so much of a whimper with Leicester.

He has found a new lease of life under Nigel Pearson netting seven times already this season, but has since hit a lean patch that he will be looking to rectify.

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

The Stat Attack

LAST FIVE

Queens Park Rangers: D L W W W
Leicester City: W D D W W

HEAD 2 HEAD

Queens Park Rangers: 23
Leicester City: 18
Draw: 10

LAST TIME OUT

Coca Cola Championship – 01-01-2008
Loftus Road

Queens Park Rangers: 3 (Stewart 15, Bolder 26, Blackstock 56)
Leicester City: 1 (Hume 59)

Team: Lee Camp, Chris Barker, Damion Stewart, Adam Bolder, (Marc Nygaard 74), Dexter Blackstock (Simon Walton 89), Gareth Ainsworth (Gavin Mahon 67), Ákos Buzsáky, Martin Rowlands, Bob Malcolm, Rowan Vine, Zesh Rehman.

SEE ALSO:

QPR 3-0 Leicester City – 03-09-1977

Ref Watch:

Referee: Mr Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire)

Assistants: Mr Steve Creighton (Berkshire) & Mr Mark Russell (Gloucestershire)

Fourth Official: Mr Jarnail Singh (Middlesex)

We have seen a vast range of officials as QPR fans in recent times, as documented by the article in our column in the Kilburn Times

This time around Mr Moss has proven himself to be in the Russell Booth and Mark Haywood category, unremarkable and keen to let the game flow.

He has taken charge of QPR three times and Leicester City once as documented in our report of the official.

To read our report on the official Click Here >>>

Match Prediction:

1-0 QPR

This game I believe will prove to be a keenly-fought one with both sides bringing their undoubted strengths to the table.

Rangers attacking prowess and pace down the flanks may be enough to see them through against what has proven to be a stubborn rearguard.

The biggest sticking point having watched Leicester’s fortuitous win over Reading is the amount of chances created by the Royals out of sheer pace and movement, with a back four that lacks speed.

Wayne Brown could be seen as vulnerable with Ryan McGivern caught out of position on several occasions, and only Reading’s profligacy saved the Foxes on the day.

Predictions

LeeCookFan: 2-1 QPR

PaulaHoops: 3-1 QPR

southernhoop: 2-0 QPR

QPR4Me: 4-1 QPR

Superhoop50: 1-0 QPR

Nomar: 2-0 QPR

Clonmany_Hoop: 3-1 QPR

Cartouche: 3-0 QPR

beforerodney:3-0 QPR

toboboly: 3-1 QPR

jezza99: 1-1 Draw

Lenny367: 1-1 Draw

danielqpr: 1-0 QPR

LCF’S CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION LEAGUE >>>

BEAT THE CLOCK >>>

Next Up In W12

Teams: Queens Park Rangers v Crystal Palace

Date: Tuesday November 3, 2009 – 8.00pm

Ground: Loftus Road, London.