QPR will be looking to lift themselves off the foot of the Premier League when they welcome Aston Villa to Loftus Road in Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports.
Harry Redknapp’s men have not enjoyed their return to the top flight thus far, with a return of just four points from their opening eight matches seeing them rooted to the bottom of the league.
Ed Chamberlin previews the Monday Night Football offering of QPR versus Aston Villa
Defensive concerns have been the crux of the problem for the R's. Redknapp’s men have the worst defensive record in the division, and crucial mistakes have cost them dear.
Eduardo Vargas twice got Rangers back on level terms late on against Liverpool last week, but on both occasions poor defending allowed the Reds to sweep down the other end and get themselves back in front.
Even at this stage of the season, a win over a fellow struggler can be a huge boost to a survival bid, and with Villa in freefall after a positive start, this could be QPR's chance.
Three wins from their opening four matches of this new campaign saw Paul Lambert’s men riding high in the Champions League qualification spots - form which led the Villa hierarchy to offer Lambert a new deal.
Opta facts
- QPR have four points from eight games, one more than they did at this stage two seasons ago.
- QPR have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five Premier League games (13 goals in total).
- Andreas Weimann has scored two goals from two shots on target this season and they have both been winners.
- Aston Villa are the only team not to score in the closing 15 minutes of games this season.
However, since the Scot put pen to paper, the Villans have not won a single point from their subsequent four matches, and not even scored a goal in that time.
Incredibly, at this juncture of the season, Villa have only mustered a measly 12 shots on target in their eight games – fewer than three individual players after eight matchweeks (Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa and Graziano Pelle).
The capital has not been a happy hunting ground for the Midlanders. Villa have lost nine of their last 10 Premier League games against London sides.
Team news
The Sunday Supplement panel believe Harry Redknapp's relationship with Adel Taarabt is damaged beyond repair
Adel Taarabt could be offered the opportunity to prove himself to Redknapp when QPR host Villa.
Taarabt and Redknapp had a public disagreement this week when the QPR boss accused the Morocco playmaker of being overweight.
Defender Nedum Onuoha hopes to shake off a hamstring problem sustained against Liverpool while midfielders Joey Barton and Jordon Mutch could be fit again after recent hamstring trouble, but Alejandro Faurlin (knee) is a long-term injury absentee.
Visitors Villa are hopeful of a couple of returns in their defence after conceding 11 goals in the space of four games, while also scoring none in that run.
Ron Vlaar discusses Villa's recent form
Philippe Senderos (thigh) will face a late fitness check with the view of placing him back in the heart of the back four alongside captain Ron Vlaar, who overcame a calf injury to make his comeback against Everton last week.
Nathan Baker (hamstring) is also a doubt for the clash, having limped off in last week's defeat.
Paul Merson's prediction
Harry Redknapp: Knows his side must get back to winning ways
If QPR can get anywhere near the standard they played to last Sunday against Liverpool, then they will have a good chance.
I wasn’t impressed with their defending and organisation at the end of the game, but the way they went forward - Bobby Zamora in particular - did impress me.
I think they will beat a Villa team which is struggling at the moment. I worry about the way Villa are losing games because they don’t look like scoring a goal. If QPR are up for it, then they can win this - and then you worry about Villa because they’ll be on that slippery slope.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
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