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BUOYED by Monday’s dramatic comeback against Brentford, QPR head to Preston North End’s Deepdale stadium on Saturday.
Two stoppage time goes from Matt Smith and Luke Freeman earned the R’s a point against their local rivals earlier this week.
Whilst home form has been solid for the majority of the campaign, on the road it has been a pretty miserable existence as a QPR fan in 2017.
Rangers are yet to win an away fixture this season, whilst their last win away from W12 came in February thanks t a 4-1 win at Birmingham City.
Boss Ian Holloway will be desperate to end that run this weekend at a ground QPR last won at in 1980.
Following a good start to the season under former Norwich boss Alex Neil, Preston’s season has stalled somewhat in recent weeks with them securing just one win in their last nine matches.
However, if QPR are to return to west London with three points they will have to do it without their talisman Luke Freeman who sits out the match with a one game suspension.
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Last Time Out
Preston 2 QPR 1 - Saturday, 25th February 2017
QPR made the best possible start at Deepdale on their last trip but the worst possible finish as the R’s went down 2-1 in Lancashire. Kazenga LuaLua put Ian Holloway’s side 1-0 up in spectacular fashion with a back heeled goal on 36 minutes before Preston equalised on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Aiden McGeady’s long range finish. Jordan Hugill scored the winner midway through the second half before Luke Freeman was sent off with just over ten minutes remaining.
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Stats
- Preston are unbeaten in their last 11 home league games against QPR (W5 D6).
- Since scoring in 18 consecutive Championship matches at Deepdale, Preston have failed to score in three of their last five, including each of their last two.
- Tom Barkhuizen has had a hand in more Championship goals than any other Preston player this season (9, four goals and five assists).
Ian Holloway: "Preston are a high energy team, they move the ball really quickly. I know a few of their players, I had Tom Barkhuizen at Blackpool and he would rival anyone on my runs here. I know that they will counter attack, try to break and keep the ball. I’m really looking forward to it though and if we can get three points out of this one then we can start this month in a positive way."
Alex Neil: "I think with the squad that they've got they are very versatile in the way that they play, I think their last four games that I've seen they've changed formation within the game, they've started with different ones as well, they've started with different personnel. So they are really unpredictable in terms of how they are going to set up, which means that we will focus more on ourselves and how we set out to perform.”
Team News
QPR: Midfielder Luke Freeman is unavailable after collecting his fifth caution of the season against Brentford. He serves a one match ban. Joel Lynch (ankle) is unavailable whilst Nedum Onuoha (hamstring) and James Perch (knee) continue to work towards full fitness. Darnell Furlong (knee) is also a doubt.
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( I've no idea on the team. No Freeman, no right back, no left winger. I think avoiding defeat will be the objective. )
Preston: Tom Clarke and Declan Rudd are both back in contention after making a return from injury midweek. However, defender Josh Earl (knee) is unavailable after undergoing surgery. Greg Cunningham (hamstring) and Tommy Spurr (knee) both remain sidelined. Ben Pearson is available again following a one match suspension however Daniel Johnson serves a one match ban.
Referee
Jeremy Simpson - Set for his first QPR match of the season, Simpson has issued 78 yellow cards in 19 appointments this season, including seven on three occasions.
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