Manchester City v QPR preview: Rangers on the brink of relegation
Sunday 10 May 2015 13:25, UK
Manchester City take on QPR on Super Sunday in a repeat of the club's most famous match in recent times.
However, on this occasion, the focus will be on QPR who will be relegated should they lose, or left hanging by a thread if they manage a draw.
Live Ford Super Sunday
The R's are 19th and seven points behind Hull, meaning that even a win might not be enough to prolong their stay in the top flight should the Tigers beat Burnley.
Manuel Pellegrini's team, having surrendered their title, are left to battle it out with Arsenal for second and can move three points clear of the Gunners with a victory - albeit having played two more games.
Team news
Manchester City playmaker Samir Nasri will miss Sunday's clash, having been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Frenchman pulled up with a groin injury soon after coming off the bench against Tottenham last week and will not feature in City's final three games of the season.
Captain Vincent Kompany (groin) and midfielder Yaya Toure (hamstring) are both fit to return after lay-offs.
QPR manager Chris Ramsey says he is down to the "bare bones" for the trip to Manchester City.
Steven Caulker (hand), Clint Hill (hamstring) and Mauricio Isla (knee) are all doubts for the Etihad Stadium encounter, while forward Bobby Zamora is rated as 50-50 to feature.
Nedum Onuoha misses the trip to his former club through suspension and Rio Ferdinand is absent following the recent death of his wife. Eduardo Vargas and Alejandro Faurlin (both knee) remain sidelined.
Opta facts
Manchester City have lost just one of their last 15 Barclays Premier League home games (W11 D3 L1).
City are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions against QPR (W4 D2), but have drawn the last two.
Edin Dzeko has three goals and two assists in two Premier League starts and three substitute appearances against QPR.
Sergio Aguero has scored three goals in four Premier League games against QPR, including probably his most famous goal of all on the final day of the 2011-12 season.
Only four goalkeepers (David James 13, Thomas Sorensen 12, Brad Friedel 10 & Mark Schwarzer 10) have saved more penalties in Premier League history than Rob Green (9).
Jesús Navas has now attempted 42 shots (inc. blocked) without scoring in the Premier League this season; more than any other player.
Manchester City's substitutes have contributed towards 17 goals (nine goals, eight assists) this season; more than any other teams’ replacements.
Rob Green has made more errors leading to goals than any other Premier League player this season (6).
Manchester City's players have only made four errors leading to goals overall in 2014-15.
Since the start of last season, Charlie Austin has scored 36 league goals for QPR (inc. playoffs) – 29 more than any other player for the club (Zamora the next most with seven).
Merson's prediction
If Saturday’s results play out like I have predicted, then QPR will be in big trouble before they even kick off against City. And I think that Man City will win this one easily 3-0 as they will want to make sure they finish in either second, or at least third place in the league so that they do not have to play that extra game to qualify for the Champions League via the play-offs.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Manchester City are considered the bankers of the weekend at just 2/9 for the victory, with QPR up against odds of 12/1 to win and 5/1 just to leave the Etihad Stadium with a point. City head into the clash with odds of 7/4 to secure second spot, while Chris Ramsey’s men are 25/1 to avoid relegation and 6/5 to finish bottom. Sergio Aguero heads the first goalscorer betting at 11/4 and is just 4/6 to net in a City win, while Charlie Austin is considered the visitors’ most likely source of a goal at 10/1 to break the deadlock.
Watch Manchester City v QPR on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.30pm.
