IntroductionAfter AFKA’s brilliant alternative cover preview for the
Leeds match, Preview Towers gets back to some sort of reality this week with a slightly more serious preview ahead of the visit to Loftus Road on Saturday.
With QPR in 3rd place and the Addicks in 19th place, on paper the game looks like it may head one way but with Chris Powell’s side known for being capable of snatching points off teams at the top which has included the likes of Leicester and Blackpool this season, then the result could go either way.
The OppositionHarry Houdini’s magic couldn't quite save QPR from relegation from the Premier League last season after a dreadful 2012-13 campaign, but with shrewd signings so far this season, QPR have impressed and currently find themselves only two points away from top-spot.
With the quality and experience that QPR display in their side, it’s no surprise that they are the favourites to gain promotion back to the Premier League and the money spent by Redknapp during the summer proves their ambitions to achieve promotion and remain in the league.
One of those summer signings was striker Charlie Austin who joined the ‘Hoops’ from promotion-rivals Burnley for a fee around £4m. Austin has already scored six league goals this season for QPR and will certainly be the biggest threat for Charlton’s back four.
Player to WatchThe player to watch is weekend is the prolific Sandra Redknapp. The wife of Harry certainly has an eye for goal and her recent displays have even seen some asking for her to be called up for next year’s World Cup. Sandra’s finishing makes Darren Bent look like Marouane Chamakh, so much so that when Bent missed a chance during his Spurs days, Harry claimed ‘Sandra could've scored that’…
In all seriousness, we should watch out for Charlie Austin-he can certainly finish well.
The Line –UpAfter the defeat to Leeds, Chris Powell has got some real thinking to do especially in regards to the line-up and formation. Despite the defeat, the performance was decent but again highlighted the problems the Addicks have had converting their chances.
Despite Yann’s substitute appearance against Leeds before the International break, I wouldn't be surprised to see him remain on the bench and see Simon Church alone up-front again in a 4-5-1 formation.
After the experiment of both Callum Harriott and Cameron Stewart on the wings didn't quite work out, it is likely that we will see Bradley Pritchard return on the right-wing with Harriott dropping to the bench.
The other dilemma for Powell is in the centre of defence where Charlton have had some injury problems over the last couple of weeks. It looks unlikely that Richard Wood will return likewise with Leon Cort so Dorian Dervite should keep his place alongside Michael Morrison as long as Morro is fit enough to start.
The PredictionWith two sides that don’t score a lot during their matches, I can see this being a low-scoring game. 1-1.
Comments
Sandra to miss a hat-load of chances and Charlton to get a point against the run of play :- 1-1. In a splendid example of poetic justice, Harry left bemoaning his bad luck and declaring, "Even Benty would have put a few of those away".
Newly enriched Charlton, bought by the Coca Cola Corporation only yesterday, looked like the real thing as they took all three points with a late Bradley Pritchard goal.
The Bubbly south Londoners had to pass a servere pepsi challange from Rangers but the high flying hoops ran out of fizz.
Tough game though and cant honestly see us getting a result
Would go with that side above and bring Yann on with 20 to go unless we are getting tonked.
Can see a draw being the best result we can hope for but expect to see a comfortable home win for the hoops. 2-0.
Saturdays ref average of just over 2 yellows a game this season
http://www.soccerbase.com/referees/referee.sd?referee_id=883
Having said that, the gaffer knows he put Yann back in too early last time. I expect he will remain on the bench for Saturday.