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34th time lucky for R's?
QUEENS Park Rangers will hoping to make it the perfect week when heading to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
However, the R’s will know that history goes against them when facing the Reds on their home patch with Rangers having never winning a league game at the City Ground – a remarkable record which stretches all the way back to 1934.
Forest have beaten QPR 19 times in 33 matches on home soil over the last 83 years, with the two clubs drawing 14 times but with Ollie’s side in their best form of the season we will go into this game with our tails up.
There’s actually very little separating the two teams going into this fixture – in fact the main difference is that Rangers have conceded eight less goals with both teams on the same points and Forest scoring two more goals than QPR. Both teams will know that a win will guarantee them a place in the top half of this extremely tight looking table at this time of the season.
Forest were fast out of the blocks for this campaign, winning three of their opening four games. But then followed a block of results of four losses in five games before back-to-back wins against Burton Albion and Hull City.
It’s been an extremely topsy-turvy campaign for Mark Warburton’s side, but victories against the much fancied Middlesbrough and high-flying Sheffield United highlight the quality they have in their side.
Warburton has also used different systems this season, playing 3-5-2 on occasions but lately has reverted to his preferred 4-2-3-1. Their team does contain some players who have had much success at this level such as Liam Bridcutt, David Vaughan and Daryl Murphy.
There will also be a couple of former Rangers’ players on show in Michael Mancienne and Armand Traore whilst Joel Lynch also enjoyed a spell at Nottingham Forest.
The hosts were beaten 3-1 by Reading during the week and will want to get back to winning ways here.
The mood in the camp at Harlington is excellent following an unbeaten October and back to back wins against Wolves and Sheffield United. But as good as our home form has been, away from Loftus Road we’ve been disappointing and still only have two away this calendar year - something Ollie and the boys are desperate to fix.
However, the spirit in the camp is excellent and with players like Jordan Cousins and David Wheeler now in and amongst the first team, there is great competition for places and a real positive feeling around Queens Park Rangers which we will be looking to continue heading into the third international break of the season.
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Last Time Out
QPR 2-0 Nottingham Forest 29th April 2017
QPR secured their place in the division with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest – a result that meant Forest’s status in the Championship would go down to the final day.
Two second half goals from Conor Washington and Joel Lynch secured the victory in what was a tight affair.
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Stats
- Forest have gone 15 consecutive league games without a draw
- Only Burton Albion and Birmingham have picked up less points on the road than QPR this season (4)
- QPR have scored in each of their last five away games
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QPR Fan Anna
Manager Viewpoint's
Ian Holloway: “I know they are a good team and they’ve got a good manager but it’s about what we can do. Mark Warburton sets up teams to play a wonderful way and he educates players. He’s got them doing that in difficult circumstances, we’ve got the same points as them but we need to improve our form on the road.”
Mark Warburton: "They come here off the back of two very good results, having beaten two sides flying high in the top six. They will be confident and Ian Holloway will have them ready and organised and they have several good individuals in the team."
Team News
QPR: Joel Lynch will return to the squad following his suspension against Sheffield United. Rangers have no other injury or suspension problems with Onuoha, Hall and Perch all still out.
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Nottingham Forest: Daryl Murphy (hamstring) is expected to return for the hosts. Armand Traore has also recovered from his own hamstring issue and could be inline for a recall. Jamie Ward (concussion) is also available.
Referee
Tim Robinson – Has given out eight red cards in 18 games this season.
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QPR POTM For October
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