Bottom-placed Queen Park Rangers will be entering a tough bout when they host Premier League leaders Manchester United at Loftus Road on Saturday, at 1500 GMT.
Harry Redknapp’s side has not been playing well this season and have picked up just 4 points from their last available 15. They have won just two of their 26 games, and recently suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Swansea City. They are languishing at the foot of the table seven points from safety and five points behind 19th placed Wigan Athletic.
QPR start this game a staggering 48 points behind Manchester United, a point’s tally that is equal to the points that fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur has amassed.
The Red Devils have been in great form thus far and could see their lead extend even further for a short period as second placed Manchester City play on Sunday against third placed Chelsea. Three points against Merseyside’s Everton stretched United’s lead at the top to 12 points, putting them in a firm position to clinch their 20th league title.
The last time round at Old Trafford Sir Alex Fergusons team beat QPR 3-1, probably a similar result could be expected in this return fixture.
Redknapp’s team will be boosted by the return from injury of speedster Junior Hoilett and new signing striker Loic Remy at their attempt to cause a big upset and effort to evade relegation.
Phil Jones will be unavailable due to the injury he recently suffered against Reading.
Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie will once again look to get their names on the scoring sheet.
QPR have not been able to beat Manchester United in any competition since 1992 and to break the jinx they would need to play out of their skins.
Expected Line-ups:
QPR: Soares Julio Cesar, Nedum Onuoha, Christopher Samba, Clint Hill, Armand Traore, Andros Townsend, Shaun Derry, Stephane Mbia, Jermaine Jenas, Adel Taarabt, Jamie Mackie
Manchester United: David De Gea, Rafael Da Silva, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Antonio Valencia, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones, Kagawa, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie