Preview: QPR vs Leicester

On Sky

Two of the division’s in-form sides take to the stage in front of the television cameras once again, as Leicester are the visitors to QPR’s Loftus Road this evening.

Jim Magilton’s side currently lead the way in the form table after five wins and just one defeat in their last eight Championship fixtures. Last Saturday’s 4-2 victory at Derby was the third in a flurry of four goal hauls for Rangers, following comfortable victories against Reading and Preston.

Nigel Pearson’s Leicester have gone about their work efficiently if unspectacularly this season, finding themselves in 5th place, three points off of leaders Newcastle.

This evening’s game looks set to be a far cry from Monday’s dismal tussle with Reading, as QPR’s formidable home record comes up against Leicester’s impressive away form.

The Foxes backline will have to be at their best if they are to contain QPR’s devastating attack of Wayne Routledge, Akos Buzsaky, Adel Taarabt and Jay Simpson; a combination Championship defences simply haven’t coped with this season.

Vital Quotes:

QPR’s Gavin Mahon: ‘Leicester are a very decent side. They’re a well-drilled outfit, but we’ve got confidence in our own ability and we genuinely believe we’re a match for anyone on our day.’

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson: ‘They are winning and scoring a lot of goals. We will need to be at our best as they will be a considerable obstacle.’

Queens Park Rangers Team News:

Midfielder Ben Watson is definitely out through suspension, following his red card against Reading two weeks ago.

Mikele Leigertwood and Fitz Hall are both back in contention, but Hogan Ephraim and Angelo Balanta are sidelined through injury.

Player to watch: Akos Buzsaky

Well where do we start? The winger has already hit five goals for the R’s this season, and together with the fearsome trio previously listed, has terrorised Champonship defences all season long.

QPR fans must have been thanking their lucky stars when Buzsaky was allowed to join the club on loan from Plymouth in 2007, with the R’s making swift moves to tie him up permanently in January. Since then he has never looked back, as his dazzling displays have delighted both manager and fans alike.

Leicester City Team News:

Nigel Pearson has a relatively full-strength squad to select from, aside from previous casualty Aleksander Tunchev.

Bruno Berner and Michael Morrison are both pushing for recalls in the full-back positions, whilst Steve Howard could win his place back in the side.

Player to watch: Martyn Waghorn

A goal in his first start for the club on Monday night at Reading will almost certainly have provided Waghorn with another start this evening.

With three goals to his name so far this season, Waghorn has proved to be a useful weapon off of the bench for Pearson in the Championship campaign so far. With pace to burn and impressive strength, Waghorn could be a real handful for the QPR backline this evening.

Match Facts & Stats

– Leicester have not beaten QPR in their last four league meetings.

– Their record at Loftus Road is poor, winning just twice in their last 11 visits to West-London.

– QPR are currently second in goal charts, with 25 in 13 games this season.

– Similarly, only two teams lie above Leicester in the defensive charts, with just 11 goals conceded.

– Jay Simpson has scored six times in just nine starts for Rangers.

Ref Watch:

Jonathan Moss

Match Prediction:

QPR’s attacking force is extremely worrying. QPR 2-0 Leicester.

Next Fixtures:

Tuesday 3rd November
QPR vs Crystal Palace

Saturday 7th November
Leicester vs West Brom