Tottenham v QPR – Match Preview

Harry Redknapp returns to familiar surroundings this Sunday as QPR go to White Hart Lane to face Mauricio Pochettino`s Tottenham side. Tottenham have won four of their last six Barclays Premier League games against QPR, with one of those wins masterminded by current Rangers boss Redknapp.

QPR on the other hand have won just four of their last 40 Premier League games which is a poor record to say the least. However, an encouraging display against Hull and some excellent summer signings leads me to believe that the R`s will be an entirely different animal this time round in the top flight.
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QPR`s task of defeating Spurs at White Hart Lane isn`t an enviable one as the Lilywhites have won each of their last four Premier League home games, scoring 14 goals in the process. Ominously, the R`s have only picked up one victory in their last 17 visits to Tottenham in league competition (D6 L10), with that win coming back in May 1994 courtesy of a Trevor Sinclair brace (2-1).

However, records and stats are there to be broken and if QPR can be more clinical in front of goal then I can see them troubling a disjointed looking Spurs side. It`s only a matter of time before Loic Remy and Charlie Austin find their scoring touch. Joey Barton`s set-pieces will need improving as well as they were poor against Hull. It will be interesting to see if Redknapp hands debuts to Mauricio Isla and Leroy Fer. I expect Isla to start as Danny Simpson still looks uncomfortable in the wing back role.

Tottenham Team News:

Kyle Naughton misses out through suspension.

Possible line up:

Player to watch: –

QPR Team News:

Leroy Fer and Mauricio Isla are expected to make their debuts. Eduardo Vargas is unavailable for selection as he awaits his work permit.

Possible line up:

Player to watch: –

Match Facts & Stats

HEAD 2 HEAD

Tottenham: 20
QPR: 14
Draw: 17

LAST TIME OUT

Premier League – 12/01/13
Loftus Road

QPR 0
Tottenham 0

Team: Cesar, Hill, Onuoha, Nelsen, Fabio, Mbia, Derry, Park, Taarabt, Mackie, Wright-Phillips.

Attendance: 18,018

PREVIEW FACTS

Rio Ferdinand has not conceded a foul in any of his last 27 Premier League appearances.

In 102 Premier League London derbies at home, Spurs have only won one more (38) than they have drawn (37).

Joey Barton has created more goalscoring chances than any other Premier League player this season (6).

In their last Premier League campaign (2012-13), QPR took fewer points from London derbies than any other side (nine in 10 games).

Ref Watch:

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: Gary Beswick & Darren Cann
Fourth Official: Roger East

Anthony Taylor is the match official for Sunday`s clash with Spurs. Last season, Taylor issued 102 yellow cards and 3 red cards in 31 games.

Match Prediction:

1-0 Narrow home win.

Next Up

Who: Burton
Where: Pirelli Stadium
When: 27/08/2014