QPR entertain Forest this weekend with both clubs hoping to kick start their season having failed to win so far. While Forest were being beaten by Watford in midweek Rangers went down by a single goal to Bristol City & conceded for the 3rd league game running this season after 2 previous 1 – 1 draws. A defeat for Forest would leave them with just 1 point from their opening 4 games which would be their worst start to a season since 1954 & a draw would equal their worst start since 1961. Forest went down 2 – 1 on their last visit to Loftus Road with Balanta & Buzsaky grabbing the goals. The reds haven’t taken 3 points from Rangers in 6 attempts having last tasted victory in January 2005 with a 3 – 0 win.
Vital Quotes:
This is the one, this is the game where it all gets going, this will be the game when we look back on the season & remember where the winning run started.
Queens Park Rangers Team News:
Tom Heaton has signed this week on loan from Manchester United & may replace Cerny in goal. 28 year old striker Alesandro Pellicori (sounds like an Italian International, but isn’t) has been signed from Italian Serie B side Avellino after scoring 18 goals in 2 seasons for the club. Alejandro Faurlin joined in a £3.5million move & Adel Taarabt has also arrived on a season long loan from Tottenham.
Player to watch: Alejandro Faurlin
The 22-year-old Argentine midfielder is QPR’s major summer signing & has been brought in to add creativity to the Rangers midfield.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Forest will again be without long term injury victims Julian Bennett & James Perch while Kelvin Wilson has suffered a set back in his rehabilitation to weaken the defence still further. Luke Chambers returns after seeing out a 3 match ban but Lewis Mcgugan will be missing for around 6 weeks after undergoing surgery on a depressed cheekbone fracture sustained in the Watford defeat.
Player to watch: Dexter Blackstock
The Forest striker scored in his last outing & will be looking to get one over on his previous club who allowed him to leave after his loan spell last season that caused then Rangers manager Paulo Sousa to lose his job.
Match Facts & Stats
These two teams have met 46 times in league competition in the past with Forest winning 19, QPR 13 & 14 draws. Forest have also out scored their opponents by 66 goals to 51
Next Fixtures:
Tuesday, 25 August 2009 19:45
Carling Cup Round 2
Nottm Forest v Middlesbrough.
