Premier League: QPR v Everton match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Loftus Road

Dave Rudge
Friday 19 October 2012 16:57 BST
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QPR manager Mark Hughes
QPR manager Mark Hughes

Under-pressure manager Mark Hughes will be hoping home advantage can help his side pick up their first win of the season on Sunday, but they face an awesome challenge in the spectre of in-form Everton.

The Toffees have made an untypically bright start to the season and sit loftily in fourth place following four wins in seven matches. Moyes’ men, however, will be without Marouane Fellaini who sustained a knee injury on International duty with Belgium.

The combative midfielder – playing in a more advanced role this season – has been superb in Everton’s opening games and his loss will be keenly felt. His compatriot, Kevin Mirallas, is expected to step into the breach. Darron Gibson remains sidelined with a groin grain, though Tony Hibbert may feature.

The Hoops have been crippled by defensive injuries this season, a major contributing factor in their concession of 16 goals in seven league games. Armand Traore, though, could return after recovering from a leg injury and Clint Hill is expected to play despite taking a nasty blow to the head in training earlier this month. Malian midfielder Samba Diakite also returns after completing a one-match suspension.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

QPR 1 (Zamora) Everton 1 (Drenthe), Premier League, March 2012

Everton 0 QPR 1 (Smith), Premier League, August 2011

QPR 3 (Gallen, Hateley, Impey) Everton 1 (Ebbrell), Premier League, April 1996

STATS...

Sides have met a total of 46 times, Everton have won 20, QPR 15. They have drawn eleven times.

QPR have beaten Everton six times in the Premier League. Everton have only beaten them twice in 10 top-flight encounters.

Three players have scored Premier League hat-tricks in this fixture – Kevin Gallen, Bradley Allen, and Les Ferdinand, all for QPR.

ODDS: QPR to win: 3.55 Everton to win: 2.26 Draw: 3.55

CLASSIC MOMENT: QPR’s 5-3 win at Goodison Park in the maiden Premier League season (1992/93)

TV: Live Super Sunday, Sky Sports 1, 3.30pm

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