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Saturday 4th April 2009
Loftus Road Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00
Referee: S W Mathieson
Queens Park Rangers (11th) V Crystal Palace (12th)
By thegodfather

After winning their last two matches, Queens Park Rangers face Crystal Palace at Loftus Road on Saturday. The Rs need to win this London derby if they are to keep their faint play-off hopes alive.

Crystal Palace

When Neil Warnock replaced Peter Taylor as manager in October 2007, Crystal Palace were struggling at the bottom of the Championship. However, a remarkable run of form saw the Eagles climb the league table and finish in 5th place, earning themselves a place in the play-offs. Unfortunately for the Palace supporters, they were beaten 4-2 on aggregate by Bristol City in the semi-final.

This season, Crystal Palace have failed to meet the expectations of the fans. Warnock’s men have been far too inconsistent to establish themselves as play-off contenders. The Eagles currently lie in 12th place, five points behind Queens Park Rangers, with a game in hand.

Warnock will view Saturday’s game as an important fixture. Although the team is too far behind the top six to compete for a play-off place, Palace will want to win at Loftus Road.

Men to watch

Crystal Palace’s top scorer is Shefki Kuqi who has nine goals to his name this season. The striker was placed on the transfer list by Neil Warnock in February 2008 after he made an offensive gesture to the Eagles fans. However, he has since made a surprising return to the first-team. The Finland international lists Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town and Fulham among his former clubs. At the age of 32, Kuqi lacks pace but could still cause some problems for the QPR defenders.

Anthony Stokes will probably partner Kuqi in attack on Saturday. The talented 20 year-old is on loan at Selhurst Park from Sunderland for the rest of the season. The former Arsenal man has also made three appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team. As well as Stokes, Warnock could choose to start Rui Fonte who is on loan from Arsenal. He is the brother of Jose Fonte.

On the left wing, Neil Warnock has 18 year-old Victor Moses. The England U-19 international is renowned for his pace and skill and he will certainly provide a stern test for the QPR full-backs on Saturday. If he continues to perform well, the Eagles may find it difficult to ward off interest from Premiership clubs.

Another talented Crystal Palace youngster is Sean Scannell. At only 18 years of age, he has already made over 50 appearances for the Eagles and has featured for the Irish national team. He clearly has a bright future ahead of him. Scannell can play either on the right wing or up front.

In central midfield, Warnock could select Neil Danns. The 26 year-old had periods with Blackburn Rovers, Colchester United and Birmingham City before joining Palace in January 2008.

Shaun Derry could partner Danns in the heart of midfield. The 31 year-old is known for his aggressive style of play and will certainly provide a stern test for QPR’s creative players. He is in his second spell with the club after making 84 appearances for Palace between 2002 and 2005. Derry has also played for Sheffield United, Portsmouth and Leeds United.

At the back, Patrick McCarthy could return for Palace after recovering from an injury. The 25 year-old signed for the club during the summer of 2008 from Charlton Athletic. The Irish centre-half has also played for Leicester City. Palace also have Portuguese defender, Jose Fonte. The 25 year-old signed for the Eagles in 2008 from Benfica.

In goal, Julian Speroni will probably start against QPR. The Argentinean keeper has made over 100 appearances for Palace since 2004. The 29 year-old is an excellent shot-stopper.

Previous Matches

November 2007 – A last minute equaliser from Clinton Morrison ensured that Crystal Palace escaped with a point against QPR at Selhurst Park. Loan signing, Scott Sinclair, put Rangers into the lead just before half-time, heading home Akos Buzsaky’s cross. The away side dominated the match but were punished for not taking their chances in the 89th minute when Clinton Morrison headed into the roof of the net from close-range.

QPR Manager, Luigi De Canio: "We had three great chances, but their goalkeeper played extremely well. But we have got a point - which, in our position in the table, is something to build on. It's important we get better and don't make mistakes to allow the opposition to score - and I hope we won't face such a good goalkeeper every week."

Crystal Palace 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

December 2007 – Crystal Palace came from behind to beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road. QPR started brightly and took the lead in the 10th minute, when Damion Stewart sent his header flying into the top corner of the net. Palace improved after the break and equalised when Ben Watson’s cross was smashed home by Clint Hill. Morrison got the winner in the 68th minute, nodding home after Jose Fonte had hit the bar. Neil Warnock was sent to the stands late on for time-wasting.

QPR Manager, Luigi De Canio: "We lost concentration at two key moments during the match, especially at a time when things seem to be going wrong for us. The major disappointment is how we failed to take our chances in the first half, only going 1-0 up. We deserved a bigger lead from our play, and then they probably would not have caught us."

Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Crystal Palace

November 2008 – Paulo Sousa’s QPR side held Crystal Palace to a goalless draw at Selhurst Park in a dull, physical encounter at Selhurst Park. The best chance fell to the visitors just after half time when Heidar Helguson missed an open goal, slicing his effort wide. Shefti Kuqi had a header saved by Radek Cerny late on but neither side were able to make a breakthrough and the match ended 0-0.

QPR Manager, Paulo Sousa: "I am proud of the side because we have changed our ideas and way of playing in just a few training sessions and that is difficult to do. We have made a big jump and we are in a good way. I hope in the next game that we can go one better and win the match. The team is growing and developing. In the future, I hope we will be better and have more quality in games like this. I am sure about that."

Crystal Palace 0-0 Queens Park Rangers

League Form

Queens Park Rangers: DLDWW (Last match: QPR 2-1 Bristol City).

Crystal Palace: WLWLD (Last match: Crystal Palace 0-0 Reading).

QPR Team News

Heidar Helguson may miss Saturday’s game through injury. Lee Cook came on as a substitute during the second half of the Bristol City match and could return to the starting line-up against Palace. Rowan Vine, who has recovered from the broken leg he sustained last year, will probably be named on the bench. Akos Buzsaky, Patrick Agyemang and Martin Rowlands remain long-term absentees.

Prediction

Sousa’s side come into this game on the back of two impressive results against Swansea and Bristol City. The addition of Adel Taraabt to the squad has given the Rs an extra dimension to their attack – will Palace be able to cope with the Moroccan’s pace and skill? I am fairly confident about Saturday’s London derby. I’m going to go for a 2-1 victory to QPR.

Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Crystal Palace