QPR v Man City ( MD Thread )

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RANGERS welcome the reigning champions – Manchester City – to W12 on Saturday tea-time, for what promises to be an entertaining Barclays Premier League fixture under the Loftus Road lights.

Buoyed by an improvement in performances in the last few weeks, Harry Redknapp will be demanding another positive display from his side against a City outfit who are struggling for consistency so far this term.

Whilst Rangers have only registered one win from those three fixtures, the Hoops arguably deserved much more than their three point return, pushing Liverpool and Chelsea all the way, with last weekend’s display at Stamford Bridge arguably the pick of the performances.

But points are essential for the R’s and with Rangers lying second from bottom heading into the weekend’s fixtures, it’s a win that’s required against Manuel Pellegrini’s men.

Redknapp can call upon the fit-again quartet of Nedum Onuoha, Joey Barton, Jordon Mutch and Niko Kranjcar, whilst Adel Taarabt could also be in contention after coming through a 90 minute run-out for the Elite Development Squad on Monday.

City, meanwhile, head to Loftus Road in the wake of a mixed few days.

After defeating arch-rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, a 2-1 home loss to CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night left their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

The Blues sit bottom of Group E after a series of disappointing displays in Europe, but they remain on track to once again compete for the Premier League title, despite currently sitting in third, some six points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Skipper Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva will all miss the trip to West London owing to injury, but Frank Lampard could return to the City squad.

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Possible Starting Xl's
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STAR MAN - MAN CITY

Sergio AGUERO (Striker)

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Sergio Aguero's £38 million arrival at City was completed in July 2011.

Aguero scored 30 goals in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium, becoming the first player to achieve this feat in the top flight since Francis Lee in 1971/72.

His place in Manchester City history was secured when he ended the club's 44-year Premier League title wait with his goal in the 94th minute against QPR on the final day of the 2011/12 season.

Although injuries took their toll on Sergio's second season at the club, the Quilmes-born hit-man did still manage to weigh in with a respectable 12 Premier League goals in the 2012/13 campaign, including a header in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea which put the Sky Blues into the final.

Aguero hit the ground running in 2013/14 with four goals in his first six Premier League games - including a brace against Manchester United in the stunning 4-1 win.

The opening goal in that comprehensive win was his 50th goal for the club. He bagged 28 goals in 2013/14 campaign and also won his second Premier League title in 2013/14 and was also a Capital One Cup winner as City beat Sunderland 3-1 at Wembley.

This season he's continued his remarkable record in front of goal, with 12 goals in 15 appearances in all competitions so far.

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PRE-MATCH TALK - QPR V MAN CITY

QPR boss, Harry Redknapp: “When you play Man City, it’s always a difficult game. They have a fantastic squad of players. You look at their team, look at their squad – I think it’ll be them and Chelsea fighting it out for the championship this season.

“It’s a tough game. We’ve had a couple of difficult ones lately – I thought we played well at Chelsea last week, now we have to play with the same commitment shown there, as well as against Aston Villa and Liverpool.

“If we do that, we’ll have a chance. But we know it’s a tough game. It’s one to look forward to – against the Premier League champions.”

City gaffer, Manuel Pellegrini: “In my 25 years as a manager, the only pressure I have is managing this team. I never feel external pressure.

“It’s important to continue in the Premier League as we are – adding points. We will continue fighting.”

Famous Fans​

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Comedians Bill Bailey and Bernard Manning​

BET VICTOR

QPR win: 7/1
Draw: 7/2
Manchester City win: 2/5

LAST MEETING - QPR V MAN CITY

QPR 0, Manchester City 0 – Premier League – Tuesday 29th January 2013

HEAD TO HEAD - QPR V MAN CITY

QPR wins: 12
Draws: 16
Manchester City wins: 22

MATCH OFFICIALS -

Referee: M Dean
Assistant Referees: J Brooks & L Betts
Fourth Official: M Atkinson

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