Tottenham vs QPR: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League fixture at White Hart Lane

Roberto Soldado celebrates after scoring Tottenham's equaliser in Cyprus on Thursday (Getty)

Poor old QPR fans for thinking it might be a smoother ride this time around; following promotion straight back to the Premier League, they succumbed to a disappointing opening day 1-0 defeat to Hull at home, and manager Harry Redknapp will know there is much work to do if his team are to survive this season. Next up for Redknapp is a trip down memory lane to a place he knows all too well, as he takes his QPR side back to old club Tottenham.

The former Spurs boss proved hugely successful at White Hart Lane, achieving Champions League football, before eventually falling victim to chairman Daniel Levy’s frequently used axe. Since Redknapp’s departure, the revolving door at Spurs has kept spinning, with both Andre Villas Boas and Tim Sherwood coming and going. The man that now finds himself with the seeming impossible job of pleasing Levy is Mauricio Pochettino, and the former Southampton manager got off to a perfect start with a 1-0 victory against West Ham in his first game in charge last weekend, thanks to a goal from new signing Eric Dier.

After resting players for their Europa League tie on Thursday, Pochettino has the luxury of an almost full squad to choose from, with defenders Kyle Walker and Vlad Chiriches the only injury absentees for the Argentine. Competition for places at Spurs is high and players such as Erik Lamela, Paulinho, Sandro and Moussa Dembele will be looking to make an impression on their new manager and cement a place in the team alongside first choice players such as Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Hugo Lloris.

QPR also have a clean bill of health going into the clash, and will be hoping for better fortunes after acting far more astutely in the transfer window than previous seasons, with the signings of solid centre backs Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker as well as midfielders Leroy Fer and Jordan Mutch. The Hoops have previous when it comes to beating Spurs and they will hope that serves them well come Sunday.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 1.30pm.

PAST MEETINGS…

QPR 0 Tottenham 0, Premier League, January 2013

Tottenham 2 (Faurlin OG, Defoe) QPR 1 (Zamora), Septmeber 2012

QPR 1 (Taarabt) Tottenham 0, Premier League, April 2012

Tottenham 3 (Bale 2, van der Vaart) QPR 1 (Bothroyd), October 2011

STATS…

Only Arsenal won more away matches in the league last season than Tottenham.

Tottenham scored only 9 goals in 10 Premier League London derbies last season.

QPR had the best average possession in the Championship last season with 56.5%

QPR have won just 10% of their last 40 Premier League matches.

ODDS…

Tottenham to win: 1.48

QPR to win: 8.6

Draw: 4.6

CLASSIC MOMENT

QPR recorded a priceless win in their quest to beat the drop in the 2011/2012 league campaign, beating Tottenham 1-0 at Loftus Road. Adel Taarabt came back to haunt his old club scoring the winning goal with a first-half free kick. It proved a crucial strike as QPR went onto ultimately survive.

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm