please log in to view this image Queens Park Rangers vs Leeds United please log in to view this image Saturday March 1st, 2014 - K.O 12:15 - Loftus Road please log in to view this image It's the early kick off again, and this time the Whites travel South to Loftus Road. On the back of a 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough Leeds maintain form that could only be described as "OK". New loan signing Jack Butland was included in the squad and performed well, he will undoubtedly hold onto the starting berth here too. QPR have been well and truly off the boil recently, with their automatic promotion hopes under threat, a loss against local rivals Charlton last weekend didn't help matters. Harry Redknapp will be looking for his team to put a stop to the slide which has seen them drop to 4th in the table, though with several injuries plaguing the squad it's hard to see where the attacking threat is coming from at the moment. Leeds will be looking to take advantage of this and hope to knick something from this one, with off the field matters still not resolved, it is all the players can do to cheer the fans up! What Do The Stats Say? Leeds fans are largely on board with the thinking that a true shot at the top 6 has disappeared for another season, and I'd say that's largely true but for a phenomenal run in, and help from other teams at the same time. QPR come into this one without a win in their last 4, and 3 defeats in a row, so they have everything to prove. Historically it's a close one, Leeds have 2 more victories than the hosts, but from 45 previous league meetings that is nothing. Loftus Road has seen over 2.5 goals scored in the last 5 games there, but with Leeds' record of just one win in their last six in the road, many would bet on the home side. Injuries will play a part, but the stats are still suggesting a narrow victory for Harry Redknapp and his boys I'm afraid to say Leeds fans. Form Guide (Last 5 League Games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Team[/TD] [TD]Form[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD]X - W - W - L - D[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]4[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]QPR[/TD] [TD]W - X - L - L - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [TD="align: center"]9[/TD] [TD="align: center"]4[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Head to Head (Previous League Games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Team[/TD] [TD="align: center"]P[/TD] [TD="align: center"]W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]D[/TD] [TD="align: center"]L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]GD[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Leeds[/TD] [TD="align: center"]45[/TD] [TD="align: center"]17[/TD] [TD="align: center"]13[/TD] [TD="align: center"]15[/TD] [TD="align: center"]67[/TD] [TD="align: center"]52[/TD] [TD="align: center"]15[/TD] [TD="align: center"]64[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="align: center"]QPR[/TD] [TD="align: center"]45[/TD] [TD="align: center"]15[/TD] [TD="align: center"]13[/TD] [TD="align: center"]17[/TD] [TD="align: center"]52[/TD] [TD="align: center"]67[/TD] [TD="align: center"]-15[/TD] [TD="align: center"]58[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early Betting Odds (Correct on 27/02/14) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD="align: center"]QPR Win[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Draw[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Leeds Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="align: center"] 10/11[/TD] [TD="align: center"] 12/5[/TD] [TD="align: center"] 3[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Queens Park Rangers Top Scorers (League) Charlie Austin...14 Matt Phillips...3 David Hoilett...2 Redknapp has a depleted squad for this one, with Charlie Austin, Matt Phillips, Danny Simpson and Alejandro Faurlin on the treatment table, and Joey Barton serving the last game of his current suspension. It's hard to see where the attacking threat comes from with the two top scorers out, though in more positive news for the R's, Ravel Morrison is expected to make his home debut. Leeds United Top Scorers (League) Ross McCormack...22 Matt Smith...7 Rodolph Austin...2 Leeds drafted in young striker Connor Wickham on loan this week, and he's expected to go straight into the team ahead of this one, along with fellow new signing Jack Butland there is a statement of intent from Leeds (and possibly new "owner" Massimo Cellino), though many fans think it is too little too late for this season. Lee Peltier may well start ahead of Sam Byram who was missing last week because of a hamstring problem, otherwise McDermott has his full squad to choose from. The Damned Prediction: 2-1 Loss Even with the mighty Butland in goal, I can still see QPR sneaking a win here. If they were ever there for the taking it should be when they're without their main attacking options. I think we'll get one goal, probably from Ross, but the team haven't looked strong enough to warrant a win against a top 6 side in my opinion. please log in to view this image Butland keeps his place in goal, with Wickham starting up front alongside Ross. Hopefully that will become a fruitful partnership, as I'm still incredibly worried that an injury to Ross would be mean we just don't score. I've mixed it up a bit and gone for Brown and Mowatt in midfield. Brown was a definite for me, because of his experience and battling spirit in what I think will be a hotly contested middle of the park. Mowatt will offer something different to him, with a bit more mobility. Over to the not606 faithful, let's have some score and team predictions
Browns got to come in and grab the midfield by the scruff of the neck. With Wickham and Rosco up tops we will always have a punchers chance. Could go either way, a draw isnt really good enough for either team. Not going to predict this one
I'm afraid harry knows he's under pressure and will have kicked his charges into line. QPR have the best squad by far in the league but have failed to capitalise on this recently, but 'arry knows he must do something so i expect a fairly comfortable win for QPR. I would love Ross and Wickham to build a good partnership and score, but think its about time the Londoners scored a few goals and think it will be against us as we have no midfield.
Dammed united's pharkin' brilliant, Dammed united's pharkin' brilliant, Dammed united's pharkin' brilliant. Well that's the singing done. Should now be a really interesting game. We have a real chance. Leeds to win 1-0
A draw at best for me. well still have too many donkeys in the side despite the two great recent loan signings
This will be dodgy Harry's last game as a football manager. 1-1 He has this crossed and doubled at Ladbrokes. I would making it a treble with Colin returning " for the only job in football that excited him enough to get him back in the game".
Glory hunter I totally agree with you Harrys game is up he has a massive squad but he has failed to replace Austin and has lost the last 3 games I feel that the time is right to make it 4 on the spin and curtains for Harry who will replace him McKay perhaps
Are you going to come to the drysaltrers for a drink before the millwall game. Even though you live in millionaires row at Bardsey you don't have to get a round in.
Would be a good career move for McKay get a 2nd club promoted in a year. As for the score on Saturday i'm going for 2 v 0 both Wickham & Ross to score
If we put Brown in for Austin I'll go for a win, otherwise sadly they may sneak it. No midfield last week apart from Murphy who was overrun.
If both Kebe and Stewart start we will lose. Replace the pair of them and maybe we will get something
Would be amazed if you didn't win regardless of how badly you rate some of your players. We'll have 70% of possession without having a shot and gift you one from a set piece. However good some of our players look on paper, we have absolutely **** all up front to be worried about and the most sideways, laboured midfield I've ever seen. The only player who might do something is Ravel Morrison but knowing Redknapp he'll be dropped.
The big question for me is whether it is worth getting up before 4:00 am to watch this live on tv!? And yes, it is preferable to get up early rather than stay up all night!
