QPR host Everton on Sunday, in a crucial home game with time running out for them to pick up points in their bid for survival. Having picked up just three points on the road all season, this a must win game for them because after Chelsea’s visit, they will have just two more games remaining at the Loftus Road.
Everton meanwhile picked up just their second win in over three months as they beat 10 men Newcastle United 3-0. The disappointing season looks like ending without any drama, as the six point gap from the last relegation place doesn’t look too alarming.
They suffered a heavy defeat in Ukraine in the Europa League and the travel will make Sunday’s trip against a QPR side fighting for everything in a difficult fixture.
Team News
QPR
Mauricio Isla is a doubt having missed the Crystal Palace defeat with a knee injury along with Darnell Furlong who was hauled off at half time with a calf problem.
Rio Ferdinand also missed that match with a flu but he looks like he’ll be available coupled with Joey Barton who has served his three match ban for misconduct against Hull City. Leroy Fer, Alejandro Faurlin and Richard Dunne will definetely miss out.
Everton
Tony Hibbert, Bryan Oviedo and Kevin Mirallas are all sidelined through injury while Steven Pienaar is yet to return to full fitness. Gareth Barry remains suspended while Aiden McGeady is a doubt.
Last Five Meetings
15 Dec 2014 Everton 3 – 1 Q.P.R. Premier League
04 Jan 2014 Everton 4 – 0 Q.P.R. F.A. Cup
13 Apr 2013 Everton 2 – 0 Q.P.R. Premier League
21 Oct 2012 Q.P.R. 1 – 1 Everton Premier League
03 Mar 2012 Q.P.R. 1 – 1 Everton Premier League
Interesting Stats
- QPR have conceded the most goals in the Premier League ( 52)
- The two sides have garnered a combined total of just three league wins in the past three months each.
- Everton are the 4th worst team in the league on their travels.
- QPR have lost 8 of their last 9 matches in the Premier League.
- Everton have lost 8 of their last 9 matches away from home in the Premier League.
- Everton have failed to score in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Premier League.
Key Men
QPR – Charlie Austin
Having started off the season brightly, Austin’s goalscoring exploits have toned down in recent months though he still remains 4th in the race for the Golden Boot with 15 goals. Just three goals since the turn of the year show how horrible QPR’s recent form has been, and who better than the 25-year-old to rise to the occasion against a patchy Everton defense and deliver for the Londoners.
He can be a threat from set pieces while also being a very good finisher and has a tendency to get into goalscoring positions. The presence of Zamora in the side gives him more freedom to operate, and if given the space, he can prove to be deadly on Sunday with his average of 4.1 shots per game.
Everton – Romelu Lukaku
With three goals in his last three games, Lukaku arrives in London in fine nick. He has scored 18 goals in all competitions so far and his fantastic curler against Dynamo Kiev was an example of the quality which the Belgian possess. He has been one of the few bright lights for Everton this season, though like his club, he has had a bad season. Having scored 15 and 17 in the two seasons prior to this, Lukaku has only found the net 8 times in the league this season.
However, he will be looking to end the season on a high and the worst defence in the league presents with it an opporutnity to add to his tally and finish the season on a high.
Prediction
QPR will fight tooth and nail to grab three crucial points, and they should grind out a narrow win over an Everton side who have nothing really left to play for, even though Roberto Martinez has stressed the fact that reaching the 40 points mark remains a priority. Back the home side to grab a 2-0 win on huge odds of 16/1 at William Hill.
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