Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Premier League - Matchpack: QPR v Manchester City - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

TEAM NEWS

Defender Ryan Nelsen looks set to return for what could be his last QPR game. Nelsen, who Toronto want to start work as their manager on Friday, and striker Loic Remy were both rested for Saturday's FA Cup defeat to MK Dons, but are likely to feature in tomorrow's game against the champions at Loftus Road. Junior Hoilett (hamstring), Shaun Wright-Phillips (knock), Bobby Zamora (hip) are doubts, while Samba Diakite is at the African Nations Cup and long-term absentee Andrew Johnson (knee) remains sidelined.

Manchester City have central defensive concerns with Vincent Kompany ruled out with a calf injury. Matija Nastasic (knee) is also doubtful while Kolo Toure remains on duty at the African Nations Cup along with brother and midfielder Yaya Toure. Forwards Mario Balotelli and Samir Nasri have recovered from illness but full-backs Maicon and Micah Richards (both knee) are not yet ready to return.

MANAGER QUOTES

Harry Redknapp: "This transfer window – I've never seen anything like it. Every agent seems to be trying to screw each other. It's like gang warfare out there. It is scary. If you've got a deal for a player, another agent will try to scupper that deal if he is not involved in it. It's unreal. It's unbelievable what's going on. They're all fighting for big money, that's the problem. I'm not sure on exact numbers but I've been offered quite a few players and most of them have been useless. I'm sure we'll find some good ones in there."

Manchester City assistant manager David Platt on Mario Balotelli: "I've not heard anything and to be honest it just seems like speculation. As far as we are concerned, he's still a Manchester City player. I don't think there's anything that could happen. I can only go off what you know and what I've seen, which seems to be speculation. It's a shame Robbie (Roberto Mancini) is not here. He might know more than me."

MATCH FACTS

QPR have lost each of their last four Premier League clashes with Man City, shipping three goals in each of the last three defeats and two in the loss before that.

In the two sides' five Premier League meetings at Loftus Road, the Hoops have only managed one win, 1-0 in August 1995, losing two and drawing two.

No side has scored more goals than Man City in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season (11) and these goals have contributed towards a league-high 12 points.

Phil Dowd has awarded a league-high eight penalties in the Premier League this season.

Only Chelsea (8) have won more penalties in the Premier League this term than Man City (6).

QPR have scored the highest proportion of goals from outside the area in the Premier League this season (39%; 7 of 18).

Man City have conceded the highest proportion of goals from outside the area in the Premier League this season (26%; 5 of 19).

Adel Taarabt has either scored (2) or assisted (2) four of QPR's last five Premier League goals.

Eden Dzeko has scored one goal in each of his three Premier League matches against QPR.

QPR are the 13th side in Premier League history to have won 15 points or fewer after 23 games of a season. Of those 13, only three have avoided relegation (West Brom in 2004-05, Fulham in 2007-08 and Wigan in 2011/12).

Should QPR suffer defeat in this match, it'll be their 100th loss in the Premier League.

BETTING ODDS

QPR 13/2, draw 7/2, Manchester City 1/2

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