Match Day Thread Leeds v QPR

please log in to view this image

​

Queens Park Rangers will be hoping for a similar result and performance as the one on the opening day of the season as the R’s head up north to face Leeds United at Elland Road.

When the teams met back in August, Leeds were blown away by an inspired QPR side who outperformed them all over the park and ended up with a well-earned 3-0 victory.

Despite a difficult start Leeds have gone on to enjoy a stellar season. Monk’s side are currently 4th in the table nine points below Brighton in 2nd and eight points ahead of Fulham in 7th. They are well placed to finish in the play-off positions and surely won’t rule out automatic promotion although conceding a 95th minute equaliser against Fulham on Tuesday would not have helped their cause.

Monk has got Leeds well organised with Pontus Jansson and Kyle Bartley two of the finest centre halves in the division. Their captain Liam Bridcutt patrols the midfield and they have exciting players on the wing including Souleymane Doukara and Hadi Sacko. But perhaps the most important aspect in Leeds firing this season has been the outstanding form of Chris Wood in attack, who has scored over 20 league goals.

Leeds are currently enjoying their best season in many years and will hope that it can lead them back to the Premier League where they were, for a period, one of the biggest sides in the division.

Rangers are now comfortably situated in mid-table following a run of four wins in the last five games. This form has eased any relegation fears that the club may have been experiencing through parts of January and February but Holloway won’t rest on his laurels and wants a strong end to the season.

The R’s played some excellent football in the 2-1 victory over Barnsley in the week and now look to be finding their feet under Ollie with lots of competition for places.

Leeds have only beaten QPR once in the last five meetings and Rangers are unbeaten in the last two outings at Elland Road so should be heading into this one relatively confident despite the Whites tasting defeat just four times at home this season.

​

TEAM NEWS ​

QPR: Jamie Mackie and Joel Lynch are available again after being rested against Barnsley on Tuesday night whilst Kazenga LuaLua remains sidelined with an ankle injury.

Leeds: Leeds will be able to recall Luke Ayling and Chris Wood after injuries kept them out of their last game at Craven Cottage. However Kalvin Phillips misses out through suspension.

please log in to view this image

Predicted line up:

Green,

Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor,

Bridcutt, Vieira, Sacko, Roofe, Doukara,

Wood.


QPR

please log in to view this image

Key Player: Chris Wood – The target man has been in sensational form this season leading the race to be the Championship’s top goalscorer award with 22 strikes and is a key part of the way Leeds setup.

PRE MATCH TALK

Ian Holloway: “The lads are working really hard and it’s all about setting your standards and continuing to do that. We are playing a Leeds side that has steadily improved and improved. They are a massive club with huge support and I am delighted to be taking my team to Elland Road. We are going to have to try to stop them, and impose ourselves on them and the game. It won’t be easy but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Garry Monk: “We had a big disappointment on the opening day of the season at QPR, we felt we were better than we showed. We can show how far we have come this weekend, in front of another large crowd at Elland Road. QPR are in form, it will be another tough test and they have done really well since Ian's return."

please log in to view this image

MATCH ODDS

QPR win: 14/5
Draw: 12/5
Leeds win: Evens
QPR first goal scorer: Matt Smith 13/2
Leeds first goal scorer: Chris Wood 10/3

LAST TIME OUT

QPR 3-0 Leeds - Championship, Sunday 7th August 2016
QPR goal-scorers: Nedum Onouha, Tjaronn Chery, Sebastian Polter


HEAD TO HEAD
(In all competitions)

QPR wins: 18
Draws: 15
Leeds wins: 20

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Tim Robinson
Assistant Referees: Andrew Fox and Mark Jones
Fourth official: David Coote

please log in to view this image

​

 

please log in to view this image

 

please log in to view this image

 

I think that the inability to keep a clean sheet has been our main problem regardless of the personnel on the pitch. Only one shutout in twenty four. But I do agree with your comment on Manning. It's quite incredible that he's probably one of the first names we'd have on our team sheet in such a short space of time.

 

I did nearly put Hall into that holding role but at the expense of Luongo though. It looks like Ollie is going for a shut out today and try and nick a goal on the break.