Tuesday 20th April 2010
The Coca Cola Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: P Miller
Kick-off: 20:00
Queens Park Rangers (18th) V Watford (20th)
By The Godfather

The result of Sunday's Sheffield derby has meant that Queens Park Rangers are now safe from relegation, despite their defeat to Cardiff last Saturday. It's a position that Watford would love to be in, with the Hornets still in real danger of the drop. I'm sure that Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace supporters will be hoping for a huge favour from Neil Warnock's men on Tuesday night.

Watford

Manager: Malky Mackay

Season 2008-09 finish: 13th place.

Malky Mackay has had to carry out his duties under difficult circumstances since being appointed last summer. The former Scottish international defender has had to cope with various financial difficulties, which almost put the club into administration earlier in the campaign.

Things haven't been going well on the pitch either. They currently lie in 20th position, just two points ahead of the relegation zone. It is clear that the Hornets need to win this match in order to avoid a very tense end to the campaign. Therefore, I expect them to be really 'up' for the fixture. However, Watford will be without star players, Tom Cleverley and Heidar Helguson. Whilst the former will miss the rest of the season through injury, the latter, who is on loan from QPR, cannot play against his parent club under the terms of the agreement.

Men to watch

Thank goodness that Heidar Helguson isn't eligible to play against QPR. Wouldn't it have been typical had the Icelandic striker scored against Rangers, the team that he played so badly for earlier in the season?

Instead, Watford's main threat will be top scorer, Danny Graham, who has 10 goals to his name so far this season. The 24 year-old started his career with Middlesbrough, but was never able to break into the first team at the Riverside Stadium. A successful move to Carlisle followed, with Graham scoring 29 goals in a two-year spell. This impressive record attracted the interest of Mackay, who signed him on a free transfer in July. He will pose a threat on Tuesday night.

In central midfield, the experienced John Eustace is likely to start. The tough-tackling 30 year-old lists Coventry and Stoke among his former clubs. Expect him to give the likes of Faurlin a stern test on Tuesday night.

At the back, Mackay is likely to select Adrian Mariappa. A product of Watford's youth academy, the 23 year-old has made over 100 appearances since signing his first professional contract in 2005. Mariappa can play in central defence or as a right-back.

United States international defender, Jay DeMerit could play alongside Mariappa depending upon whether he can recover in time from a knock he picked up last Saturday. The 30 year-old has played for the Hornets since 2004, making over 160 appearances for the club. He has 17 caps to his name for his country.

In the right-back position, Lloyd Doyley could return from a hamstring injury. The 26 year-old has played for Watford since 2001 and has made 280 appearances for the club. He has only scored one goal, which came against QPR in the fixture at Vicarage Road earlier this season.

In goal, Scott Loach will probably keep his place. The 21 year-old is a talented shot-stopper, as he has demonstrated during loan spells with Stafford Rangers, Morecambe and Bradford City. This season he has established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, but has come under some criticism from supporters after a few dreadful mistakes.

Previous Match

December 2009 - This match will probably be remembered for what happened inside the Queens Park Rangers dressing room after the final whistle. Magilton allegedly headbutted Akos Buzsaky, with Patrick Agyemang reportedly having to break the two men up. The game itself was painful to watch if you were a QPR fan. Agyemang put the Rs into the lead early on, but Lloyd Doyley headed in the equaliser in what was his first goal for the Hornets. Don Cowie made it 2-1 after the break, before Cleverley sealed the victory in stoppage time.

QPR Manager, Jim Magilton: "At 1-0 up I just didn't think that we had the real desire to go on and capitalise - and that's upsetting. When we went a goal up, we showed a little of quality and it was a great finish from Patrick Agyemang. We then needed a collective desire to get a result, but in the last two games we haven't shown that. One or two harsh questions have to be asked."

Watford 3-1 Queens Park Rangers

QPR Team News

Damion Stewart will miss the rest of the season after suffering a fractured skull in the Crystal Palace match. Matthew Connolly is also unavailable due to a serious ankle injury. Gavin Mahon and Martin Rowlands, meanwhile, remain long-term absentees. Antonio German could replace Tamas Priskin in attack, as Warnock may wish to give some of the younger players an opportunity to impress.

Prediction

Queens Park Rangers have struggled against Watford in recent years. This could be another difficult match - as I've mentioned, the Hornets are going to be desperate for the three points here. Expect a scrappy encounter, probably finishing in a draw.

Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Watford