Match Day Thread Middlesbrough v QPR

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Match Preview

QPR face their longest trip of the season this weekend, as the R’s travel to Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship tonight .

The fixture, which will be screened live on Sky Sports, will once again see Neil Warnock take charge of the Hoops, as the club’s search for Chris Ramsey’s successor continues.

Warnock is likely to name a similar side to the eleven that drew 0-0 against Preston North End in his first match in charge prior to the international break, although Junior Hoilett faces a late fitness test following his excursions with Canada.

A decision on Massimo Luongo’s participation is also likely to be made at the eleventh hour following his Australia commitments over the last fortnight.

Boro’ – under the guidance of boss Aitor Karanka – have made a decent start to the season following their Play-Off Final heartbreak last season.

The Teessiders lie just four points adrift of table-topping Hull City in fourth spot – and have taken 19 points from a possible 24 at home so far this term.

Yet Karanka is well aware of the threat QPR will pose, commenting: “It’s another good test, especially because QPR were in the Premier League last season and I’m sure than they’re better than how they’re playing at the moment.

“They have good players and right now they have an experienced manager. They will have had two weeks to work on the pitch and I’m sure it’s going to be really difficult.

“But we have also had two weeks to work here with the players so I hope we have a good reaction after our defeat at Hull.”

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Middlesbrough – Likely line-up (4-4-1-1):

Konstantopoulos

Friend, Kalas, Amorebieta, Ayala

Fabbrini, Zuculini, Clayton, Adomah

Downing

Nugent


QPR Possible Xl

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Danger Man

David NUGENT (Striker)

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David Nugent signed for Boro' from Leicester City in August 2015 on a three-year deal.

The 30 year-old striker has previously played for Bury, Preston, Portsmouth and Burnley, before joining Leicester in 2011.

Nugent was promoted to the Premier League with Leicester in 2014 and scored 22 goals in all competitions as the Foxes lifted the Championship title.

The front-man – who has scored four goals so far this season – has one England cap to his name, scoring on his debut in a Euro Qualifier against Andorra in March 2007.

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Kelly Brook in her QPR bikini


MATCH ODDS

Middlesbrough win: 8/13
Draw: 13/5
QPR win: 9/2

LAST TIME OUT

Middlesbrough 1, QPR 3 – Championship – Saturday 22nd March 2014
Scorer: Middlesbrough – Friend; QPR – Benayoun, Morrison, Zamora

HEAD TO HEAD

Middlesbrough wins: 13
Draws: 15
QPR wins: 17

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: C Kavanagh
Assistant Referee: J Mainwaring & N Greenhalgh
4th Official: R Clark



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