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R's aim for 3 from 3
QPR are going for the treble! Not quite three trophies but three consecutive 2018 league victories when we face Middlesbrough at Loftus Road on Saturday.
The R’s have begun the New Year in fine form, coming back from 1-0 down to defeat Cardiff City before brushing aside Burton Albion 3-1 at the Pirelli Stadium last weekend.
These results combined with a decent showing over the Christmas period have left QPR in 14th place in the Sky Bet Championship.
Middlesbrough are experiencing a somewhat peculiar season. They are 9th in the table – just two points off a play-off spot but they dismissed manager Garry Monk last month which suggests that their owners expect to be back in the Premier League next season.
To help them get to promoted they have hired experienced former West Brom manager Tony Pulis. The Welshman took Stoke up in 2008 and is well respected.
Pulis’ football teams are built on a hardworking and organised approach and are usually very dangerous from set pieces. His new Boro side are still in the process of adapting to their new managers’ tactics.
Since he took over on Boxing Day they have lost two and won one although it is worth pointing out that their defeats were against Fulham and Aston Villa who both have promotion ambitions of their own to contend with.
Middlesbrough strength currently lies in their defence with just four teams conceding less goals than the Teesiders this season. This is helped by managing to hold on to their skipper and best defender Ben Gibson despite numerous approaches from Premier League clubs.
That’s not to say they don’t have the talent up top. Forward Britt Assombalonga, on his day, is as dangerous as anyone in this league whilst only inconsistency is stopping the explosive Adama Traore from not playing at a higher level.
There’s been plenty of entertainment between these two sides over the years. In fact there has been 17 goals between both clubs in the last five fixtures.
In our promotion season to the Championship in 2010/11 Rangers beat Boro 3-0 in both the home and away fixtures, whilst certainly less memorable from a QPR point of view was the 5-1 thrashing that the Teesiders inflicted on us at Loftus Road back in 2009.
The current R’s team have certainly tightened the ship in recent matches, conceding just five goals in the last six games. Hopefully another strong defensive display can go towards another three points on the weekend.
Stewart Downing v Darnell Furlong
The 33-year-old experienced winger has been in good form for Middlesbrough this season. Downing, who has 35 caps for England, has given Boro good width and accurate crossing from the left wing this season having started the last 15 matches.
He’s likely to come across Darnell Furlong who returned to the QPR team against Burton Albion on Saturday and put in an excellent performance. The 22-year-old won header after header, was assured in possession and provided an assist in our 3-1 win over the Brewers. He’s probably not come across too many of the quality of Downing in his young career so Saturday should provide a great test for the QPR Academy graduate.
Ben Gibson v Aramide Oteh
Middlesbrough’s captain and leader of their defence - local boy Gibson is having another fine campaign up at the Riverside. Perhaps somewhat surprising to see a defender of his quality not in the Premier League, the former England Under-21 international has decided to try and help the side he came through the ranks with return to the top flight.
Buzzing from his debut strike at the Pirelli Stadium, Aramide Oteh will be hoping to make his first league start at Loftus Road. The 19-year-old was a real handful for the Burton backline with his pace and movement and capped off a good all round display with a goal. The fearless attacker won’t be fazed by coming up against one of the Championship’s best defenders.
Jonny Howson v Massimo Luongo
The battle of two midfield maestros who very rarely give the ball away. Howson has impressed in first his six months for Middlesbrough after signing from Norwich in the summer. The 29-year-old has formed a good partnership with Grant Leadbitter in the middle of the park where he is neat on the ball with quick and crisp distribution and his forward runs are often well timed and productive. He has chipped in with two goals and two assists this term.
Massimo Luongo will look to continue where he let off after his flawless display in East Staffordshire. The Aussie hardly misplaced a pass against Burton Albion and was instrumental alongside Luke Freeman and Josh Scowen. Luongo capped his performance with a goal and has been one of Rangers most consistent players throughout the last 18 months. He is someone the Middlesbrough players will undoubtedly keep a close eye on in W12.
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Overall Stats;
v Middlesbrough
Games won: 17
Games drawn: 15
Games lost: 16
First game;
01 Feb 1913 Middlesbrough v Queens Park Rangers 3-2 FA Cup
Best game;
05 Mar 1983 Queens Park Rangers v Middlesbrough W 6-1 League Division Two
or
04 Mar 1998 Queens Park Rangers v Middlesbrough W 5-0 League Division 1
Worst game;
26 Sep 1970 Middlesbrough v Queens Park Rangers L 6-2 League Division Two
or
05 Dec 2009 Queens Park Rangers v Middlesbrough L 1-5 League Championship
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