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R’s Seek First Home Maximum

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AFTER the excitement of a League Cup derby against Premier League neighbours Chelsea, Rangers now get back to the importance of the Coca Cola Championship.

Rangers form this season has been relatively consistent, particularly at home, where three consecutive 1-1 draws have been met with a mixed reception from the Loftus Road crowd.

With Magilton now pleading for the fans to take their tremendous Shed End support to Loftus Road, QPR will look to kick-start their campaign at home.

Barnsley have been rejuvenated by the arrival of former Rotherham United boss Mark Robins, who has instilled a sense of belief in the Tykes camp.

Six goals in three games, combined with their first clean sheet of the campaign, and the dispatching of Premier League outfit Burnley in the Carling Cup makes for less nervy reading for fans of the Reds.

From what was a perilous position under Simon Davey, Robins now has them a point away from the side who caused Davey’s departure – Reading.

In what has become an important clash at Loftus Road, QPR will be looking to gain their first home maximum of the season infront of expectant supporters in light of the stunning win over Cardiff City.

Last Fixture

Chelsea 1 (Kalou 52)
QPR 0

Team: Tom Heaton, Mikele Leigertwood, Kaspars Gorkss, Damion Stewart, Gary Borrowdale, Wayne Routledge, Martin Rowlands (Hogan Ephraim 74), Alejandro Damián Faurlín, Akos Buzsaky, Rowan Vine (Adel Taarabt 66), Jay Simpson (Alessandro Pellicori 74).

Barnsley 3 (Macken 22, De Silva 45, Colace 75)
Burnley 2 (Fletcher 21, Eagles 52)

Team: David Preece, Rob Kozluk, Stephen Foster, Darren Moore (O’Neil Thompson 46), Jacob Butterfield, Anderson De Silva, Adam Hammill, Andy Gray, Hugo Colace, John Macken, Iain Hume.

QPR Team News:

Jim Magilton has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash with the Tykes this weekend, with somewhat of a selection headache most notably in midfield.

Tom Heaton looks set to step down to the bench once again despite an excellent midweek performance against Chelsea, with Radek Cerny set to sit between the sticks.

Mikele Leigertwood will continue at full-back with Kaspars Gorkss and Damion Stewart the key partnership in the middle in light of the absence of Fitz Hall (groin) and Matthew Connolly (glandular fever). Gary Borrowdale will continue at left-back.

Wayne Routledge will line-up on the right, with Akos Buzsaky set to continue his role on the other flank. Ben Watson may replace Alejandro Faurlín to partner skipper Martin Rowlands in the middle, with the Argentinean playing the whole game against Chelsea.

Rowan Vine and Jay Simpson look set to continue their partnership up front with Angelo Balanta (groin) sidelined.

Player to watch: Rowan Vine

Vine will be looking to cap off his recent excellent displays with a goal after coming close on numerous occasions.

The former Birmingham City man got in behind both Cardiff and Chelsea a couple of times but that killer instinct eluded him when it mattered most.

He will be looking to finish off the chances that come his way against the Tykes, in the manner he did in partnership with Agyemang two years ago.

To read his career profile Click Here >>>

Barnsley Team News:

Who R Ya? >>>

For the first time this season the Tykes have a selection headache with three defenders penning deals at Oakwell in recent days. David Preece will once again line-up in goal in the continued absence of Luke Steele.

Carl Dickinson and Ryan Shotton have arrived on loan from Stoke City, with Robins swooping for the permanent capture of Suad Filekovic after a successful trial. The latter deal is pending international clearance, and isn’t expected to start this weekend.

Defender Darren Moore is rated as 50/50 for the clash at Loftus Road, a player who made his Tykes debut against QPR at the beginning of last season.

Rob Kozluk could be set to make way at full back for Wilkinson, who is the most likely of the trio to start at Loftus Road. Anderson De Silva will be looking to continue his resurgent form under the new boss in midfield, as will winger Adam Hammill with both destined to start in W12.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce returns to the fold following his freak injury against Watford, but isn’t expected to start at Loftus Road, while Emil Hallfredsson remains doubtful with illness despite a previous injury clearing up.

Iain Hume has returned to first team football following his horror injury at the hands of Chris Morgan, he and Andy Gray will support John Macken in an attacking forward line for the Tykes.

Player to watch: Andy Gray

Vital QPR has singled out journeyman striker Andy Gray as the One to Watch ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Barnsley.

The former Sunderland, Sheffield United and Burnley man has struggled for form in recent seasons with Charlton Atheltic, after a positive Championship spell with the Clarets.

He looks like rekindling some of the form that gave him an excellent Championship reputation and prompted the Addicks to splash out £1.5m.

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

The Stat Attack

LAST FIVE
Queens Park Rangers: L D W D W
Barnsley: L L L W D

HEAD 2 HEAD

Queens Park Rangers: 20
Barnsley: 14
Draw: 10

LAST TIME OUT

Coca Cola Championship – 20-02-2009
Oakwell

Barnsley: 2 (Bogdanovic 26, De Silva 43)
Queens Park Rangers: 1 (Delaney 35)

Team: Radek Cerny, Matthew Connolly, Damion Stewart, Damien Delaney, Kaspars Gorkss, Matteo Alberti (Jordi López 69), Wayne Routledge, Liam Miller (Romone Rose 55), Dexter Blackstock, Heidar Helguson (Samuel Di Carmine 80)

SEE ALSO:

QPR 1-0 Barnsley – 12-12-1981

Ref Watch:

Referee: Mr K G Evans

Assistants: Mr J Farries & Mr E I Smith

Fourth Official: Mr B C Holderness

Mr Karl Evans from Greater Manchester will take charge of this weekend’s clash between Barnsley and Queens Park Rangers.

The rookie ref doesn’t have great experience of Championship football having only refereed a couple of games in the second-tier incurring the wrath of both sides in one game.

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

Match Prediction:

2-0 QPR

Queens Park Rangers will be looking to take some positive displays on the road into what they hope will be their first home victory of the season.

Rangers edged past a plucky Barnsley side on the opening game of last season with Iain Hume looking particularly dangerous for the Tykes.

Despite the rejuvenation of Robins’ side it will be hoped that Rangers’ men should have enough to carry them through to their first home maximum.

Predictions

Southernhoop: 4-0 QPR

Superhoop50: 1-0 QPR

jezza99: 1-1 Draw

Sandydl: 3-0 QPR

PaulaHoops: 3-1 QPR

beforerodney: 3-0 QPR

Cartouche: 3-1 QPR

toboboly: 2-1 QPR

Lenny367: 2-1 QPR

danielqpr: 2-0 QPR

CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION LEAGUE >>>

BEAT THE CLOCK >>>

Next Up

Teams: Newcastle United v Queens Park Rangers

Date: Wednesday September 30 2009 – 7:45pm

Ground: St James’ Park, Newcastle

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