Premier League: Queens Park Rangers vs Southampton match preview

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

Les Ferdinand (GETTY IMAGES)

Queens Park Rangers come into this weekend’s fixture with Southampton on the back of losing manager Harry Redknapp, who stood down this week citing knee problems, and with just two points from their last five games.

Last time out QPR extended their run of consecutive away defeats to 11, losing 3-1 to Stoke City at the Britannia to stay one place off rock bottom and two points from safety.

Southampton on the other hand have been continually impressive this season and despite consecutive defeats in the league and the FA Cup in their last two outings, have been able to retain their Champions League place in 2015.

Particularly impressive for the Saints this season has been Dusan Tadic, who has seven assists to his name, while up front Graziano Pelle has bagged eight goals in his debut season for the club.

Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey will take temporary charge of the Hoops for the fixture and may look to utilise new loan signing Mauro Zarate, despite concerns regarding the player’s fitness.

Meanwhile, Saints Boss Ronaldo Koeman may call on returning duo Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin to feature for his side. New signing Flip Djuricic however, will be unavailable.

KICK-OFF: Saturday 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Southampton 2 (Bertrand, Pelle) Queens Park Rangers 1 (Austin), Premier League, September 2014

Southampton 1 (Ramirez) Queens Park Rangers 2 (Remy, Bothroyd), Premier League, March 2013

Queens Park Rangers 1 (Hoilett) Southampton 3 (Lambert, Puncheon, Ferdinand OG), Premier League, November 2012

STATS…

QPR’s run of seven games unbeaten at Loftus Road in the Premier League came to an end against Manchester United last time out.

QPR have allowed more shots on target against them than any other team in the Premier League, while Southampton have allowed the fewest.

Southampton have won six of the last nine meetings with QPR.

QPR are the only Premier League side to have not scored in the opening 15 minutes of a match this season but have a higher proportion of goals in the final 15 minutes than any other team.

ODDS…

QPR to win: 15.4

Southampton to win: 17.20

Draw: 13.5

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10:30pm