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The last fixture between the sides was probably Rangers most difficult of the season as the R’s were heavily beaten 6-0 on a boiling night back in September last year. Tonight gives Holloway’s side the opportunity to get revenge albeit the task facing them is difficult.
Despite their undoubted individual quality, the Magpies are not quite running away from the rest of the league in the way they were tipped to both before the season began and a couple months into it.
Between September to November they won eight games in a row and were on fire but things have, to an extent, tailed off since then. Surprising home defeats to Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday means they are now trailing league leaders Brighton but are still six points in front of 3rd place Reading with a game in hand.
Managed by former Real Madrid Head Coach Rafa Benitez – Newcastle have all the characteristics of a Premier League club. St James’ Park is by far the biggest stadium in the League, their loyal fan base is renowned pretty much all over the world and their playing staff is full of internationals and players who have regularly played Premier League football.
Their relegation last season was a big shock but their summer recruitment and the fact they managed to keep hold of Benitez means they are in good shape to go straight back up.
The Toon suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat in the FA Cup to League One side Oxford United on the weekend but it must be said they were fielding a second strength team. Last time out in the league they were comfortable 4-0 winners over bottom side Rotherham United.
In contrast QPR will have to once again bounce back from a disappointing home defeat to Burton Albion. The R’s were not at the races at all on Saturday and will be know that a similar performance will likely see them leave Tyneside with nothing. However, Rangers form over since Xmas has been generally very good and the R’s have already beaten current top six sides Leeds and Reading this season.
There’s also the excitement of two new signings potentially making their debuts in Sean Goss and Luke Freeman. Both will be included in the 18 man squad and will be hoping to play some part in front of the TV cameras.
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Team News
QPR: Jack Robinson has stepped up his recovery and is now in full training but Wednesday’s game against Newcastle may come too soon for him. Grant Hall is also a doubt with an Achilles injury picked up against Burton Albion but Yeni Ngbakoto is back in the squad. Matt Smith is ineligible having signed from Fulham on deadline day.
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Newcastle:
Darlow,
Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett,
Ritchie, Hayden, Shelvey, Gouffran,
Pérez, Murphy.
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MATCH ODDS
QPR win: 15/2
Draw: 19/5
Newcastle: 2/5
QPR first goal scorer: Aleksandar Mitrovic 7/2
Newcastle first goal scorer: Idrissa Sylla 9/1
LAST TIME OUT
QPR 0 - 6 QPR - Championship, Tuesday 13th September 2016
Newcastle goal-scorers: Jonjo Shelvey x2, Ayoze Perez, Ciaran Clark, Grant Hanley, Aleksandar Mitrovic
HEAD TO HEAD
(In all competitions)
QPR wins: 17
Draws: 8
Newcastle wins: 24
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Tim Robinson
Assistant Referees: David Avent and Christopher Akers
Fourth official: Peter Bankes
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Mollie King From 'The Saturday's' Looks Like She's An R's Fan
