Big Match Preview: QPR

Friday, December 22nd 2017

Bristol City travel to Queens Park Rangers off the back of their Carabao Cup triumph against Manchester United.

They head to Loftus Road seeking five wins from five matches this month.

It would also see the unbeaten run extend to six games, with their last defeat falling at the hands of Preston North End in November.

Ian Holloway's QPR have struggled to get results this season but will be looking to build on their 2-1 win against Birmingham City last weekend.

FACTFILE

Formed:1886
Nickname: Hoops, Rs
Website: www.qpr.co.uk
Twitter: @QPRFC
Ground: Loftus Road Stadium
Capacity: 18,439

Honours:
Second Division winners (Championship) – 1982/83, 2010/11. Play-off winners - 2013/14
Third Division winners (L1) – 1947/48, 1966/67
League Cup winners – 1966/67

Last season:

Championship: 18th
FA Cup: 3rd round, lost to Blackburn Rovers
EFL Cup: 3rd round, lost to Sunderland
Top scorer: Idrissa Sylla
Average attendance: 14,475

HOW DID THEY GET HERE?

The Rs are now in their third-consecutive season in the Championship - a division they have won twice in their history.

It's been an up-and-down seven years for the London club, with their most recent success coming in 2011 when they lifted the trophy to secure their spot in the Premier League for the first since 1995.

A promotion and two relegations later, they were back in England's second tier.

This will be the first meeting between the two clubs this season, with both sides beating each other in the last campaign.

MEET THE GAFFER - IAN HOLLOWAY

The man synonymous with Bristol Rovers marked a year in charge of QPR last month.

He steered the Rs to 18th in the Championship last season, just one place behind City.

He began and ended his playing career with Rovers, enjoying spells at Brentford, AFC Wimbledon, Torquay and QPR during the 80s and 90s.

The 54-year-old manager is now into his second spell as Rs boss.

His management career also includes Millwall, Crystal Palace, Blackpool, Plymouth and Leicester.

STAR MAN - LUKE FREEMAN

The former Arsenal academy player left Greater London when the opportunity for permanent first-team football arrived at Stevenage Town.

Two years after making the move a few miles north, he joined Bristol City, going on to score 10 goals in more than 100 appearances over two-and-a-half seasons at BS3.

Since his move to QPR in January, he has gone on to score five goals including three this season. He has also contributed to an impressive eight assists and has been singled out as one to watch by current assistant head coach Jamie McAllister.

MEMORABLE FIXTURE - BRISTOL CITY 2-1 QPR

Saturday, October 1st 2016

Goals:
City: Marlon Pack 14, Jamie Paterson 40.
QPR: Idrissa Sylla 90+6

Goals from Marlon Pack and Jamie Paterson ensured back-to-back victories for Lee Johnson's side as they continued their battle to steer away from relegation.

The result would leave City three points behind QPR in the Championship table.