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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
QPR  Kenny Young, Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Traore Barton, Derry, Faurlin, Wright-PhillipsHelguson, Bothroyd | MANCHESTER CITY  Hart Richards, Savic, Lescott, ClichyYaya Toure, De JongSilva, Aguero, Nasri Balotelli |
Adel Taarabt may well drop to the bench after another ineffective performance at White Hart Lane, with Rangers boss Neil Warnock possibly opting to start Jay Bothroyd up front alongside Heidar Helguson in an orthodox front two.
Roberto Mancini will likely give the nod for Stefan Savic to replace the suspended Vincent Kompany alongside Joleon Lescott in the City defence after the young Serb’s impressive display against Villarreal.
David Silva limped off at El Madrigal in midweek complaining of a back injury, but Mancini moved to dispel fears that the diminutive Spaniard faces a spell on the sidelines, and he should line up in this fixture.
The Italian’s rotation policy means the visitors’ attacking lineup is slightly harder to predict, although with no Champions League fixtures to worry about next week, he may feel comfortable fielding the likes of Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero behind red-hot Mario Balotelli.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- These two sides last met in a League Cup tie back in 2003. Manchester City won 3-0, with current QPR star Shaun Wright-Phillips bagging a brace and skipper Joey Barton getting an assist
- For the last Premier League encounter between these two, you have to go back to February 3, 1996. City won 2-0, but both sides were ultimately relegated
- Since their opening day defeat to Bolton, QPR are unbeaten in four Premier League matches at Loftus Road
- Manchester City have won their last seven matches in all competitions, winning 14 of their 17 matches in total this season
- Neil Warnock will be looking for his side to make a fast start on Saturday – four of QPR’s eight goals scored this season have come in the first 15 minutes of matches
- Manchester City have scored 20 goals in their five away fixtures in the Premier League this season – an average of four goals per game
- Along with West Brom, QPR have scored fewer goals at home (3) than any other team in the Premier League this season
- Manchester City are currently 11 points better off in the Premier League than they were at this stage last season
Prediction
Roared on by a raucous home crowd, QPR will start at a frantic pace and try to disrupt their opponents’ rhythm early on, but City will eventually overrun them in all areas.
Editor's Prediction
QPR 0-3 Man City 
