It was never going to be easy but QPR have struggled for much of the season following their dramatic promotion from the Championship. They have managed only two wins in their first 12 games, with both those successes coming at home. Since winning the second of those – against Aston Villa – they have lost two and drew the other. All three of those games were against sides who currently occupy positions in the top five so they will see it as a point gained, especially as two of those fixtures were away from home. Harry Redknapp has been around this league long enough to know that it’s games such as this weekend’s that will go a long way to determining if Rangers stay up.
Like QPR, Leicester were also promoted from the Championship last season, but there’s was a much more straightforward effort as they topped the table for long periods before clinching the title. They looked like they had made the transition really well considering it’s their first time playing at this level in ten years, losing just once in their first five. The most memorable game of that run was of course the 5-3 home win against Manchester United but that looks to have been a turning point in their season –for the worst. It was in fact their last victory and they’re currently on a run of five defeats in their last seven.
One many who looks to be getting more important with each passing week for QPR is striker, Charlie Austin. The former Burnley man has improved with every game he’s played at this level and has six goals to his name. When you consider that QPR, as a team, have only managed 11 then you can see how valuable he will be throughout the campaign.
It’s certainly been a season of two halves for the Foxes as they picked up eight points from their first six games, scoring nine goals. Their most recent six has been a different story, though, picking up just two points and only managing to score twice. Leanardo Ulloa – signed from Brighton for a club record fee in the summer – has mirrored that form individually, failing to score in his last seven despite having five goals to his name.
Although it’s very early in the season this game still stands out as being a very important one for both these clubs. All three of the promoted teams fill the relegation places at the moment as Burnley currently split these two sides. A win for QPR would see them leapfrog their opponents and could it see them move out the bottom three depending on other results. Leicester look very short of confidence at the moment and have not scored in their last five so a point may be seen as a decent result against a team who have certainly improved in recent weeks, particularly at home. It’s because of that I’m selecting the home side to get a very crucial three points.
QPR 11/8 @ William Hill
