R's Seek To Bounce Back

RANGERS welcome Coventry City to Loftus Road in a bid to rejuvenate their form after a disappointing defeat.

Many sodden QPR fans travelling back from Doncaster will have undoubtedly had that sinking feeling after another underwhelming performance and result at the Keepmoat.

Magilton's decision to throw in two debutantes while removing consistent performers has come under much scrutiny with Steven Reid and Tom Williams unable to live up to their billing.

In Coventry they face a side that sit precariously in the bottom half of the table, but nevertheless have an excellent recent record in W12.

Indeed the Sky Blues have won three of their last four games at Loftus Road, the latter game being drawn despite Coventry being down to ten men for nearly an hour.

Rangers' recent home form hasn't been a cause for celebration either, but with Coventry looking for a crucial win under Chris Coleman, something has to give at Loftus Road.

Doncaster Rovers 2 (Sharp 53, Shiels 65)
QPR 0

Team: Radek Černý, Mikele Leigertwood, Kaspars Gorkšs, Matthew Connolly, Gary Borrowdale, Wayne Routledge, Alejandro Faurlín (Adel Taarabt 46), Ben Watson, Steven Reid, Ákos Buzsáky (Patrick Agyemang 63), Jay Simpson (Alessandro Pellicori 63).

Coventry City 1 (Best 47)
Crystal Palace 1 (Ambrose 28)

Team: Keiran Westwood, Leon Barnett, Richard Wood, Patrick van Aanholt, Stephen Wright, David Bell, Michael McIndoe, Jack Cork, Aron Gunnarsson, Clinton Morrison (Gary Madine 89), Leon Best.

Jim Magilton may make further changes to the side that underperformed against Doncaster Rovers last weekend.

Radek Černý will start in goal after a decent display but there may be changes in the back four. Mikele Leigertwood and Kaspars Gorkšs seem nailed on but with Fitz Hall, Damion Stewart and Gary Borrowdale's impeding return Matt Connolly and Tom Williams could find themselves under pressure.

Rangers should revert to their customary 4-2-3-1 formation with Ben Watson and Steven Reid under pressure to put in a performance with Alejandro Faurlín waiting for his opportunity in the middle.

The attacking quartet should include Adel Taarabt with Magilton surely recognising the need for the Moroccan to start, while Ákos Buzsáky and Wayne Routledge also play in behind Jay Simpson.

Angelo Balanta (groin) is still unable to take part in reserve action but Alessandro Pellicori, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang will be looking to make contributions from the bench.

Martin Rowlands (knee), Gavin Mahon (knee) and Lee Cook (knee) remain sidelined with long-term complaints.

Possible line up:

Creative midfielder Steven Reid will want to put his debut behind him and get down to the business of playing the brand of attacking football he was famed for prior to his injuries.

During his time at Blackburn Rovers, Reid has been a fans' favourite since signing from Millwall and his ability to create from midfield has been a key factor in their opinion.

Reid, Watson and Faurlín couldn't establish themselves against Doncaster, but in Rangers' more familiar formation he and Watson will look to forge a positive partnership.

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Coventry could be set to welcome back Northern Ireland international Sammy Clingan after being sidelined with a metatarsal injury.

Keiran Westwood will start in goal after returning from a back injury against Crystal Palace, with loanees Richard Wood and Leon Barnett looking to start in defence in the continued absence of Ben Turner (ankle).

Former Sunderland defender Stephen Wright will be hoping to fare better than his last outing at Loftus Road, when he was sent off for an ill-advised lunge, while former QPR target Patrick van Aanholt should make up the back four.

Jordan Clark and James McPake return from suspension and injury respectively to remain in contention for selection this weekend, as does former QPR loanee Martin Cranie who remains out of favour at the Ricoh Arena.

Isiah Osboure (knee) remains sidelined meaning that Clingan could return to replace either Jack Cork or Aron Gunnarsson at the heart of midfield, while David Bell and Michael McIndoe look to start wide.

Clinton Morrison and Leon Best will once again start up front for the Sky Blues, with Freddie Eastwood and Gary Madine the options from the bench.

Possible line-up:

TBA

LAST FIVE

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

HEAD 2 HEAD

Queens Park Rangers: 34
Coventry City: 43
Draw: 27

LAST TIME OUT

Coca Cola Championship - 10-01-2009
Loftus Road

Queens Park Rangers: 1 (Blackstock 87)
Sheffield Wednesday: 1 (Fox 73)

Team: Radek Černý, Damien Delaney (Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma 73), Matthew Connolly, Kaspars Gorkšs, Hogan Ephraim (Fitz Hall 89), Mikele Leigertwood (Samuel Di Carmine 89), Wayne Routledge, Martin Rowlands, Dexter Blackstock, Heidar Helguson.

SEE ALSO:

Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Coventry City - 02-11-1974

Referee: Mr Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Assistants: Mr Stephen Artis (Norfolk) & Mr Stuart Burt (Northamptonshire)
Fourth Official: Mr Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire)

Select Group official Mike Jones will take charge of the clash against Coventry City at Loftus Road this weekend.

Famed among other things for being the infamous 'beach ball' referee - he was also inadvertently punched in the nose by Stefan Bailey in QPR's FA Cup defeat against Luton Town.

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2-1 QPR

Magilton's men will be looking to bounce back from what was a disappointing display up in Yorkshire at the weekend, with Ben Watson already vowing his confidence.

It will take more than confidence to overcome the Sky Blues though, who have a good recent record in W12. They are also looking for a crucial maximum this weekend.

Coleman carries with him an air of negativity however, much in the same fashion as QPR last season - if Rangers can break the deadlock they should see it through against a side suffering in confidence.

Predictions

sandydl: 3-0 QPR
jezza99: 1-1 Draw
Superhoop50: 1-0 QPR
nomar: 1-1 Draw
Lenny367: 2-1 QPR
beforerodney: 3-1 QPR
southernhoop: 3-1 QPR

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Teams: Queens Park Rangers v Middlesbrough

Date: Saturday December 5, 2009 - 3.00pm

Ground: Loftus Road, London