Queens Park Rangers Vs Preston North End
Coca Cola Championship Saturday 5th April 2008
With fifteen points to play for and a mere seven points separating North End and the play-off places, is it too farfetched for Preston to focus their attention on reaching the top six? Many of the fans don't think it is completely out of the question but of course ensuring survival is Alan Irvine's main concern. The Lilywhites are just one point away from that long awaited target of 54 points meaning a draw at Loftus Road should be enough to ensure Championship football at Deepdale next season. However, Irvine will not want his players to take the foot off the gas, should the target be reached sooner rather than later and has targeted a top half finish.
Saturday's game will be a difficult one as QPR are currently unbeaten in their last 4 games following two wins and two draws. The R's will be looking to make it 5 not out with ex North Ender, Patrick Agyemang spearheading their attack. QPR themselves were once considered as prime candidates for the drop, but have had their fortunes turned around under their new management, just like Alan Irvine's rejuvenated North End side. The similarities to Preston don't end there as both teams find themselves on the same points and goal difference meaning three points could see either team move up to 12th place and into the dizzy heights of the top half of the Championship table.
Previous Meetings
When Rangers visited Preston in October the game ended as a bore draw when Gareth Ainsworth made his return to his old stomping ground. That day of course, Patrick Agyemang was sporting the blue and white of Preston North End, as opposed to the blue and white hoops of Queens Park Rangers. The corresponding fixture last season ended in a similar fashion, except this time it was 1-1. A goal in the first five minutes from Ainsworth gave the visitors a lead for the vast majority of the game, only to be cancelled out by a Paul Mckenna goal in the last five minutes. The same fixture last season saw QPR ensure the points stayed in West London in a 1-0 win.
Team News
Neil Mellor's brace against Sheffield United should pose a selection head ache for Alan Irvine after good performances from loan signing Tamas Priskin also. With there being no new injuries or suspensions, there isn't expected to be many changes to the side that convincingly beat Kevin Blackwell's Sheffield United last Saturday.
Queens Park Rangers will be without striker Rowan Vine after his fractured left leg has ruled the ex Birmingham and Luton man out for the rest of the season. However Rangers fans will be pleased to see Martin Rowland's return to the starting eleven following a neck injury, after coming through a reserve game unscathed. Fellow midfielder Akos Buzsacky faces a race against time to be fit for this weekend's fixture after picking up an ankle injury playing for his native Hungry last week. QPR's injury worries don't end there , as goal keeper Jake Cole is making his recovery after having elbow surgery.