On the penultimate game of the 2012/13 season, Newcastle were 2-1 winners at Loftus Road which, in turn, secured their Premier League survival. Newcastle fans will hoping for a repeat of the events that occurred that weekend when they make the trip to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
QPR were relegated last weekend, following a 6-0 hammering by Manchester City, but they can still have a huge say in who joins them in the Championship next season.
John Carver’s side will be looking to both build on their draw against West Brom at home last week and avoid the drop themselves with a win here, as struggling Hull and two points are all that separate them at the bottom of the table. The Magpies will be hopeful of Spurs doing them a favour across London the same day, as a win for Spurs and a win for Newcastle in West London would see secure Premier League status for another season.
Team news
John Carver has confirmed that both Siem De Jong & Adam Armstrong will miss the trip down to the capital, however Daryl Janmaat returns from suspension for much needed defensive cover. Rolando Aarons fitness has improved across the week, who’ll be pushing for an appearance of sorts. Gabriel Obertan has returned to the squad as well, with Carver bringing down a 21 man squad for the showdown with QPR.
Chris Ramsey welcomes Nedum Onuoha back from suspension, whilst Sandro is still ruled out with visa issues. Rio Ferdinand is expected to sit out again following his family bereavement.
Key battles
Coloccini v Austin
Even against a relegated sided, captain Coloccini & his side should be treating this like any other professional away day performance, nullifying chances for the home side & frustrating the likes of Austin & Zamora. With Dummett alongside Coloccini, the captain won’t be caught clearing up what would’ve been Williamson’s mess constantly.
Perez & Cabella v Dunne & Hill
I hope Ayoze & Remy were watching QPR at The Etihad last weekend, as the amateur defending & high line against the likes of Agüero & Silva proved QPR to be the architects of their own downfall. More kamikaze defending like this & the likes of Cabella, Perez, Sissoko & Obertan could have every opportunity to get in one on one with Rob Green.
Score prediction
Even after 2 months of diabolical football, clueless tactics, 9 matches without a win & protests alike, I still fancy Newcastle to get a result of sorts this weekend, based on QPR’s careless defending, non-existent midfield (bar Barton) and Austin constantly unable to hold his run.
Cabella, Perez, Sissoko, Colback, Aarons and Cisse against the likes of Clint Hill and Richard Dunne sitting half way up their own half? It can only go one way, can’t it?
QPR 1-2 NUFC
