Rangers will go into this game with confidence after a battling display at league leaders Chelsea saw them lose out to what they may deem a controversial penalty. However, the R’s still find themselves in the relegation zone but a third home win of the campaign could see them climb out of the danger zone.
One man who has been crucial to the Loftus Road side is 25-year-old English striker Charlie Austin, who has bagged five of Rangers’ 9 goals so far this campaign. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us of his great form so far this season as 50% of his shots hitting the target have hit the back of the net, hitting the target more than double the amount of times that his teammates have. He has completed 396 sprints and will look to work equally hard this weekend. He is 5/2 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
With just nine goals from 10 games, QPR will be focusing on adding to that tally with a side that is likely to also feature Eduardo Vargas. The 24 year old Chilean has started the season in impressive form as backed up by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, as he has already bagged two goals, converting 33.3% of his shots. He has also been involved in a further two goals with assists, and his hard work is illustrated by his seven tackles won, four clearances and five interceptions. He will be working as hard as ever this weekend and is the creative spark in the R’s line-up to watch out for.
At the back, Rangers will need their number one shot stopper Rob Green to be in top form once again to help lift them out of the relegation zone. The former England keeper has, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, made more saves than any other Premier League keeper so far this season with 38. He will be looking to add to this tally and increase his 65.52% of shots saved this term.
Man City made it four wins from five last weekend with their 1-0 win in the Manchester Derby, confirming that the city is blue once more. What is necessary is that City continue in the same vain and have everyone firing at 100% to make it back to back wins and start up another run to keep within touching distance of leaders Chelsea.
There is no doubt that Sergio Aguero is the form player for City, as he proved by bagging the only goal of the game last weekend to secure victory over their Manchester rivals. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has managed 10 goals in as many games by hitting the target more than anybody else in the Premier League; 26 times to be precise. He has also completed 26 dribbles and has been clocked at a top speed of 34.66km/h, so he will look to combine these against the QPR backline. He is 7/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
In the middle, David Silva has so far proved to be the main man for City, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The Spanish magician has both created and scored two goals so far this campaign, however it is his 86.82% pass completion rate that is most impressive. He has also completed 384 of his passes in the opposition half and it is here where his wizardry is likely to hurt QPR if he sees too much of the ball.
City skipper Vincent Kompany is the only player in the squad to have played every minute of every Premier League game this year, and the ever present rock is having a great season as highlighted by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He is just as adept with the ball at his feet as his Spanish colleague, completing 88.82% of his passes and his 18 interceptions and 43 clearances illustrate his reading of the play. He will need to be on top form to help deliver what would be their fourth clean sheet of the season.
QPR v Manchester City Possible starting lineups
QPR: Green; Isla, Caulker, Dunne, Yun; Fer, Sandro, Henry, Vargas; Zamora, Austin
Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy; Milner, Fernando, Toure, Nasri; Dzeko, Aguero
QPR v Manchester City Match Facts:
- Charlie Austin has scored 24 league goals for QPR since the start of last season (incl. play-offs); 18 more than anyone else.
- Sergio Aguero has scored 11 goals in his last 12 Barclays Premier League appearances.
- Edin Dzeko has scored in three of his four Premier League appearances against Queens Park Rangers.
- There have been five red cards in the last eight Premier League meetings between Man City and QPR.
- Man City have won four and lost none of the last five meetings in all competitions with Rangers.
- Manuel Pellegrini’s side have scored seven goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, more than any other team in the top division.
- Man City have lost just one of their last six Premier League away games in London (W3 D2 L1).
- QPR’s Richard Dunne has scored a record 10 Premier League own goals. Six of them came while playing for Manchester City.
- Manchester City have not lost any of the last eight Premier League games David Silva has missed (W6 D2).
Facts compiled from uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team