QPR v Blackburn Rovers - Match Preview

QPR v Blackburn may not be the first game on Match of the Day this weekend but for the prospective clubs this fixture is quite significant with both sides entering the fixture after humiliating thrashings looking for a positive reaction. Blackburn Rovers appear to be a club in crisis with morale amongst supporters very low, partly due to the owners and but mainly because they believe Steve Kean isn't the right man for the job. Kean has tried to get Rovers to play their football the right way but in doing so have lost all solidity and consequently have struggled this year.

On the other hand, despite a 6-0 humbling by rivals Fulham, Neil Warnock`s position as manager of QPR is still very secure. However, Warnock will be expecting a reaction tomorrow and if he doesn`t get one then morale could start to slip. As expected, it has been a rollercoaster of a season so far, losing heavily to Bolton and Fulham then in complete contrast picking up very impressive away wins to Everton and Wolves. The Super Hoops have a very difficult set of fixtures coming up so it is vital to get something against the beleaguered Steve Kean and his Blackburn side.

Fulham 6 (Johnson x3, Murphy pen, Dempsey, Zamora)
QPR 0

Team: Kenny, Orr, Hall, Ferdinand, Young, Derry(Smith), Faurlin, Barton, Wright-Phillips, Taarabt (Campbell), Bothroyd (Mackie)

Blackburn 0
Manchester City 4 (Johnson, Balotelli, Nasri, Savic)

Team: Robinson, Samba, Givet, Dann, Lowe, Pedersen, Petrovic, N`Zonzi, Hoilett, Yakubu, Goodwillie (Formica)

Danny Gabbidon has been ruled out for Saturday`s match while Matt Connolly could miss out with an ankle problem.

Neil Warnock might look to make changes after the R`s were embarrassed by London rivals Fulham last time out. Jay Bothroyd could be dropped as his search for a goal continues.

Possible line up:

QPR need a big performance from Wright-Phillips this weekend. The diminutive winger has impressed since joining on deadline day and has looked very threatening at times. He`s been unlucky not to open his account for the R`s but hopefully the former Manchester City favourite can make the net bulge on Saturday. It has to be said that Wright-Phillips can be a constant thorn in any defence, his pace and movement a particular concern for defenders, especially in the system Warnock has implemented which allows Taarabt and Wright-Phillips to rotate and roam at will.

David Dunn is out with a calf problem. Morten Gamst Pedersen is struggling with a hamstring injury and David Goodwillie could be unavailable as he has had food poisoning this week.

Possible line-up:

Christopher Samba has been identified by DanielQPR as the player to watch ahead of Saturday`s match against Blackburn.

To read his comprehensive review of the defenderClick Here >>>

LAST FIVE

Queens Park Rangers: LDWDL
Blackburn: DWWLL

HEAD 2 HEAD

Queens Park Rangers: 14
Blackburn: 17
Draw: 7

LAST TIME OUT

FA Cup - 08/01/11
Ewood Park

Blackburn 1 (Hoilett)
QPR 0

Team: Kenny, Hill, Orr, Borrowdale, Gorkss, Derry, Vaagan Moen, Faurlin (Cook), Clarke, Mackie (Andrade), Hulse (Doughty)

Attendance: 10,284

Referee: Mr M Clattenburg
Assistants: Mr S Beck & Mr S Child
Fourth Official: Mr G Ward

Mark Clattenburg is the match official for Saturday`s game. This season Clattenburg has issued 15 yellow cards and 1 red card in 7 games.

To read more see: Ref Watch >>>

With both sides boasting extremely leaky defences, it would be wise to expect plenty of goals. Now that I`ve said that I`m fully expecting a 0-0 draw. In all honesty though, if the last results are anything to go by it could be a very open and exciting match. This season, Neil Warnock has let the shackles off his players, adopting a watered down version of Ian Holloway`s Blackpool. And similarly to Blackpool last year, QPR have been hit and miss, picking up some good results but also being susceptible to a heavy beating or two. The only difference is that Blackpool could score goals at will, whereas QPR have been far from clinical in front of goal. Had several of the forward players been more clinical then the comparison would`ve had more credence to it. Step up Jay Bothroyd.

If I`m honest, I think the match will hang on a knife edge with a refereeing decision proving to be the decisive factor. I`m hoping for an entertaining game but I would take a boring 1-0 victory all day long. If the attacking three for QPR fail to impress tomorrow then it could pave the way for Jamie Mackie. It was great to see him come on against Fulham and I`m really pleased he`s back after what has been a long and arduous recovery for the Scotland international.

2-2 Score draw but an open game with a plethora of chances at either end.

Who:Chelsea

Where:Loftus Road

When:23/10/11 - 16:00

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