Saturday 5th March 2011
Npower Football League Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: R East
Kick-off: 15:00
Queens Park Rangers (1st) V Leicester City (7th)
By The Godfather

Neil Warnock mentioned in a recent interview that he felt that this fixture was one of the most difficult this season for the Rs. Leicester City certainly boast a very strong squad, which has seen a lot of investment since the arrival of Sven Goran Eriksson. Both sides will view this as an important match: QPR could extend their lead to eight points at the top of the table, whilst Leicester could move into the play-off places with a victory. In front of what is likely to be a packed Loftus Road, I am sure that this will be an entertaining encounter.

Leicester City

Manager: Sven Goran Eriksson

Last season, under Nigel Pearson, Leicester City were one of the best teams I saw at Loftus Road. With the likes of Matty Fryatt and Martyn Waghorn in attack, the Foxes had so much pace and aggression at their disposal. They deservedly reached the play-off places, but eventually lost in the semi-finals to Cardiff City.

Supporters were hoping that the Foxes would be able to build upon this success and challenge for the play-offs once again. However, during the summer, Nigel Pearson departed for Hull City, being replaced by former QPR boss, Paulo Sousa. As we all know, Sousa favours a defensive approach and it neither suited Leicester’s attacking talent nor did it prove to be popular with the Walkers Stadium crowd. With the Foxes bottom of the league table, Sousa was soon dismissed.

In October, former England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, was appointed as the new Leicester City boss. He quickly bolstered the squad, signing Greg Cunningham, Curtis Davies and Kyle Naughton on loan, and securing the services of Darius Vassell, Chris Kirkland and Roman Bednar. Perhaps most impressive, however, was the acquisition of Everton striker, Yakubu, on loan.

Following a superb run of form, which saw the Foxes gain five consecutive victories, Leicester are now firm contenders for the play-offs. However, City have dropped points in their last two fixtures, losing to Cardiff and drawing with local rivals, Coventry City. Therefore, it is crucial that Leicester pick up a positive result at Loftus Road.

Men to watch

1. Leicester City’s main attacking threat will be Yakubu, on loan from Everton. A proven striker at the very top level, the 28 year-old featured for Nigeria in the 2010 World Cup. He has previously enjoyed successful spells with Portsmouth and Middlesbrough. Yakubu has already made an impact at the Walkers Stadium, recently scoring an excellent volley against Derby County.

2. Darius Vassell is likely to partner Yakubu in attack. The former England international spent much of his career in the Premiership, enjoying lengthy periods with Aston Villa and Manchester City. After a year in Turkey with Ankaragucu, the 30 year-old decided to rejoin his former England manager at Leicester. Vassell is clinical in front of goal and must be marked closely on Saturday.

Promotion rivals

Swansea will be confident that they can beat Scunthorpe United on Saturday, as Ian Baraclough’s men have a dreadful record at Glanford Park. Norwich also face a team struggling at the bottom of the table, Preston North End. They should pick up three points at Carrow Road.

Cardiff and Nottingham Forest, in contrast, have more difficult matches, against in-form Ipswich and Hull City. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of them drop points on Saturday afternoon.

Previous match

September 2010 – Jamie Mackie scored both goals as Queens Park Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Championship to five points with a victory over Leicester City. Mackie broke the deadlock in the first half, heading home Adel Taraabt’s cross. Leicester created a number of chances after that, but failed to convert any of them. QPR’s in-form striker sealed the win just before the final whistle, cutting inside and slotting into the back of the net.

Leicester City 0-2 Queens Park Rangers

QPR Team News

Tommy Smith could return to the QPR squad after his hamstring injury, but is very unlikely to start. Adel Taraabt and Wayne Routledge have been ill this week, but will probably play. Lee Cook has reportedly picked up yet another injury, whilst Jamie Mackie and Peter Ramage remain long-term absentees.

Prediction

Both sides boast some of the best attacking talent in the division and I think that this will be a high-scoring encounter. I am going to predict a 2-2 draw.

Queens Park Rangers 2-2 Leicester City