Queens Park Rangers Vs Preston North End Preview
Coca-Cola Championship Saturday 17th October 2009
After the Reading defeat and the West Brom stalemate before the international break, Alan Irvine is hoping his side can get back to winning ways against QPR on Saturday. As a result, and with just one point from a possible six, the Lilywhites slipped 3 places to 5th in the Championship table. A win, however, could see North End jump into the automatic promotion places should results go their way elsewhere.
QPR are also a side looking for their first win in two with an almost identical record to Preston’s in their last couple of matches. A defeat to Newcastle and a draw with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium meant that Rangers slipped to 13th, 5 points behind Preston.
Previous Meetings
North End’s last trip to West London saw the Lilywhites go down to an 86th minute winner, despite coming from behind twice. Heider Helguson put the home side ahead on 16 minutes before Chris Sedgwick pegged the R’s back less than 15 minutes later. Then, with North End seemingly back in contention, Helguson netted his second to see QPR go in at the break 2-1 up.
A Callum Davidson penalty saw North End back on level terms on the hour mark only to see Dexter Blackstock break Preston hearts with a late winner, leaving Alan Irvine’s men with a long trip back up to the Red Rose County without even a point for their endeavours.
The reverse fixture saw, what was then Gareth Ainsworth’s side visit Deepdale on the last day of the season hoping to thwart North End’s march to the playoffs. Jon Parkin gave North End the lead via the post before former Deepdale favourite Patrick Agyemang levelled in an attempt to rain on the Lilywhites’ parade.
Then, when the Deepdale crowd had gotten wind of Sheffield Wednesday’s goal against Cardiff, those in attendance urged the 11 in white to seek a winner with the noise levels rising significantly. Scorer of the first Jon Parkin threw in a speculative long throw towards Sean St Ledger who, in his own words, “rose like a salmon” to seal the win for Preston and their place in the playoffs.
In total North End have come up against QPR 31 times, Preston have 11 wins whilst QPR have 8. When North End have been the visitors, the spoils have been shared 6 times as well as both teams recording 5 wins apiece.
Team News
Skipper Callum Davidson could be in contention for the trip to Loftus Road after a month on the sidelines. Alan Irvine has hinted that he does not want to rush his fellow Scot back to first team action so a place on the bench might be on the cards.
North End fans will also be pleased to discover that Welsh winger Paul Parry is also nearing a return. The former Cardiff man has been training with the first team since last Wednesday and is in contention for the QPR game.
For the home side, midfielder Martin Rowlands will miss out after limping out of Ireland’s midweek game.