Weather conditions - I suggest that supporters check the official website before leaving for Saturday afternoon's match.

Saturday 19th December 2009
The Coca Cola Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: N D Swarbrick
Kick-off: 15:00
Queens Park Rangers (12th) V Sheffield United (8th)
By The Godfather

As expected, Paul Hart has been announced as the new manager of Queens Park Rangers. Not exactly the most inspiring of appointments, but he will get my full support nevertheless. With five managers leaving the club in the last two years, it's important that Hart gets off to a winning start. Let's hope that happens on Saturday afternoon, when the Rs face an in-form Sheffield United side.

Sheffield United

Season 2008-09 finish: 3rd place.

Manager: Kevin Blackwell

There has been speculation that QPR's teenage forward, Raheem Sterling, could be handed a place in the squad for Saturday afternoon's clash. As someone pointed out on the WATRB forum, would this really be a wise decision given the opposition's reputation? However, now that Gallen and Bircham are no longer in charge of first team affairs, this seems more unlikely.

With a group of strong, physical players at their disposal, Sheffield United favour a very direct style of football. I admit to not being a fan of this. However, there is no doubt that in a league like the Championship, brawn and aggression can reap a lot of success. Last season, for instance, Kevin Blackwell and his team narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, eventually being defeated by Burnley in the play-off final.

The 2009/10 campaign, however, did not start particularly well for Blackwell's men. Despite a hard-fought victory in September's Sheffield derby, a seven-game winless run saw the Blades sink into mid-table mediocrity. However, things have improved recently, with United picking up four wins out of the last five matches. This has propelled the club back into the play-off battle.

United's squad is packed full of players proven at this level and, therefore, the fans will be expecting the team to mount a promotion challenge. Blackwell will be viewing this as a crucial fixture in the play-off chase.

Men to watch

With top scorer, Darius Henderson, likely to miss out through a hip injury, Ched Evans could be given a place in the starting line-up. The 20 year-old striker, who has been repeatedly linked with a move to QPR in the past, joined the Blades from Manchester City for £3 million last summer. He has made 11 appearances for the Welsh national team. However, despite his undoubted talent and potential, Evans has only netted three goals so far this season.

Experienced centre-forward, Richard Cresswell, could partner Evans in attack. The 32 year-old enjoyed successful spells with York City, Preston and Leeds before signing for Stoke in 2007. Since the Potters' promotion to the Premiership, Cresswell has struggled to break into the first team. As a consequence, he signed for United on a three-month loan deal in September. Cresswell is a proven goalscorer at Championship level and must be marked closely.

United also have talented forward, Jamie Ward. The 23 year-old first gained a reputation at Chesterfield, where he scored 29 goals in a two-year spell. This impressive total attracted the interest of the Blades, who purchased him for £330,000 last January. The Northern Ireland U-21 international could pose a threat on Saturday afternoon.

In midfield, Stephen Quinn is expected to keep his place after scoring against Crystal Palace last Saturday. The 23 year-old joined the Blades from Partick Thistle in 2005 and has since made 97 appearances for the club. The Irishman is a favourite with the fans, having picked up the Young Player of the Year award in 2008. He could play a key role in United's 2009/10 campaign.

Lee Williamson could play alongside Quinn midfield. The 27 year-old is a player who always seems to perform well against Queens Park Rangers (you may remember him netting against the Rs in Watford's 3-0 victory at Vicarage Road last season and then sending a free-kick crashing against the bar in the return fixture). Williamson joined the Blades last summer for an undisclosed fee and will be feeling confident after scoring against Palace last Saturday.

Kevin Blackwell also has experienced central midfielder, James Harper, at his disposal. The 29 year-old joined the Blades on a season-long loan from Reading (where he has made over 300 appearances). Harper is a product of Arsenal's youth academy and could provide the likes of Watson and Faurlin with a stern test if he plays.

At the back, Chris Morgan could start. The 32 year-old has a reputation for throwing his elbows about, having practically smashed apart Iain Hume's skull last season. Fortunately, the Canadian went on to make a full recovery. Morgan, who has made 222 appearances for Sheffield United since signing for them in 2003, holds the record for club's most red-carded player.

Matthew Kilgallon is likely to partner Morgan in the heart of defence. The 25 year-old joined the Blades from Leeds in 2007 and has since established himself as a first team regular. His efforts were rewarded when, at the end of last season, he was named the Player of the Year.

With Paddy Kenny banned for 9 months for failing a drugs test, goalkeeper, Mark Bunn, will probably keep his place. The 25 year-old signed for Sheffield United from Blackburn Rovers on six-month loan deal in August.

Previous Match

March 2009 - Sheffield United escaped Loftus Road with a point thanks to poor finishing from QPR. Blackstock missed several chances, being denied time and time again by Paddy Kenny. Alberti fired over from 12 yards out, before the Blades came close when a Kyle Naughton free-kick was flicked on to the bar.

QPR Manager, Paulo Sousa: "Mediterranean people are never patient and Flavio Briatore's a very ambitious person but he knows we are in a good way. When I came Flavio asked me to create a consistent, solid team and our aim is the Premier League. We have improved in the last year and a half and next season we will be much, much better".

Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Sheffield United

Team News

If the rumours are to be believed, teenage striker, Raheem Sterling, could be in line to make a debut (although this may not be as likely now that Gallen and Bircham are no longer in charge of first team affairs). Akos Buzsaky missed the WBA match through an injury he sustained in training. Meanwhile, Gareth Ainsworth has been recalled from his loan spell at Wycombe due to a hamstring problem. Martin Rowlands, Gavin Mahon and Lee Cook remain long-term absentees.

Prediction

With a new man in charge, it's very difficult to predict the outcome of this match. So I'm not going to! It really depends on how the players adjust to Hart's tactical changes (that's if he makes any!). Will he encourage the Rs to continue to produce entertaining football? Or will he favour a more direct style of play? We shall have to wait and see.