Manchester United vs. QPR: Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and MoreBy Hristina Tisheva(Contributor) on April 4, 2012 746 reads 4 Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse more stories Next Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Manchester United takes on Queens Park Rangers this Saturday to solidify their top spot of the Premier League. The game will be especially important for them because if their local rivals, Manchester City, lose to Arsenal or even draw, the Red Devils could be eight points clear with seven games remaining until the end of the season. The last time the two teams met in the Premier League, United won convincingly by 2-0. Forward Wayne Rooney scored in the first minute and midfielder Michael Carrick scored in the 56th. QPR were persistent but failed to pose any real challenge to the defending champions. With United out of the FA Cup and the Champions League, they will play their best to pursue their 20th title. QPR, on the other hand, will play their best to remain in the Premiership. The bottom of the chart is unclear with many teams having 28 points. QPR needs every point they can squeeze out of every game until the end. QPR have been inconsistent in their last five games while the Manchester United have won all of them. Where: Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England When: Sunday, April 8, 8:30 a.m. ET Who Will Win? Man United 82.1%Qeens Park Rangers 13.4%Draw 4.5%Total votes: 201 Live Stream: LiveSoccer.tv Recent Meetings: The 0-2 loss on Dec. 18 was the first time the two clubs have played since Nov. 11, 2008, when QPR lost at home 0-1 in the LGCP competition. The 2011-2012 was the first season QPR is playing in the Premier League after spending the last 15 seasons in the Championship, which is the second-highest division in England. Player To Watch: Antonio Valencia Valencia has been a regular starter for the Red Devils. He has scored four goals, two of which in the last three games, in 20 matches. When you add to that his 12 assists, he is important for Unitedâs attack. He works well with forward Wayne Rooney, who is a prolific scorer. United can go wide open without worrying something can go wrong when they have the winger in position. Valencia has also been taking more shots on goal in recent games â total of 17 in 20 games. What Theyâre Saying: QPRâs manager Mark Hughes said he didnât think United get preferential treatment when they play at home: âI think when you go to Old Trafford the vast majority of play will be in the oppositionâs half, so there are more situations that warrant debate and key decisions that have to be made correctly,â said Hughes. âSo by the law of averages, thereâs going to be more of these situations at the big grounds like Old Trafford, Anfield and The Emirates. The Red Devilsâ manager Sir Alex Ferguson focuses on the Sundayâs game after beating Blackburn Rovers 2-0. He knows his team canât miss the chance to keep the point difference between them and Manchester City: âThe important thing now is to win Sundayâs game [against QPR]. But listen, they are all big games now. It doesnât matter if it is next Sunday, the following Wednesday [at Wigan], the Sunday after that [against Villa], they are all big ones. The players are prepared for that. We will fight right to the end in all the games for the right to win.â Prediction: United win, 3-0 Knowing how hungry Manchester United are to win their 20th Premier League trophy, Iâm sure they wonât take it slow. Iâm sure they wonât let QPR get past their defense and make goalie David De Gea work hard. QPR will try really hard but they are simply not the better team on the pitch.
If I'm reading those predictions correctly, 3 times more of the respondents thought we were more likely to WIN at Old Trafford than to draw there; that's got to be encouraging! Of 201 respondents, 27 thought we would beat them there, whereas 9 thought we would get a draw. 36 people cannot be wrong, surely??!!
The stats are just there to be confounded! When I read that United have beaten us however many times blah blah, I think that just means it is time for us to get the odd win. With the right mental attitude, application and tactics, a draw is attainable. COYRssssssssss!
Hoping for a win to top off my birthday weekend - wonder if something like this from 1992 would be a little too much to ask for: [video=youtube;eYTRk1-93kQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYTRk1-93kQ[/video]
