QPR Preview – Away, December 10th

Watford make their second live appearance of the season as they visit West London to take on Queens Park Rangers at the Loft.

The Hoops sit top of the league after 19 games, unbeaten, and just one game away from equalling the club’s all-time record. If ever there was a time to upset the odds, live on the BBC, then surely this is it!

Of course at similar time last year the ‘Orns were victorious live on Sky, answers on a postcard as to which popular one-club Hornet got the leveller that day! Another one is surely due Lloydinho?!

Queens Park Rangers Team News: Strikers Rob Hulse and Heidar Helguson recently returned to the side after injury whilst Martin Rowlands is recuperating after another knee injury and is not fit to be included.

Key Player – Adel Taraabt:The Moroccan international has been on fire this season having signed permanently for the West Londoners after a previous loan spell last season. Handed the captains armband in Fitz Hall’s absence the diminutive former Spurs playmaker has nine in 19 this term. Midfielder Shaun Derry also recently returned to the side following injury.

Line-up Vs. Cardiff City: Kenny; Waler, Gorkss, Connolly, Hill; Smith, Faurlin, Derry, Mackie; Taraabt; Hulse.

Ex-Hornets: Heidar Helguson spent last season on loan at Vicarage Road from QPR having fallen out of favour with previous manager, Jim Magilton. Neil Warnock has stuck by the veteran Icelandic international who has rewarded his manager’s faith with seven goals already.

Tommy Smith signed on-loan from Portsmouth until January when he will make his loan move permanent having been sold to the South Coast crisis club from WD18 last Summer.

Lee Cook made his football league breakthrough with the Hornets in 2003 before showing questionable integrity when he signed for QPR on a bosman having previously re-iterated his desire to stay at the Vic’. Cook did however give his signing on fee to Rangers when he left for an injury-plagued spell at Fulham.

Home Form: QPR 3-1 Reading, QPR 3-1 Preston North End, QPR 2-1 Cardiff City.

Head2Head: Watford 3-0 QPR, QPR 0-0 Watford (08/09), Watford 3-1 QPR, QPR 1-0 Watford (09/10)

Watford Team News: Malky Mackay has a fully fit squad to chose from so will likely go with the 4-5-1/4-3-3/4-1-3-1-1 used against Leicester City with Danny Graham the point man up top and Will Buckley playing wide left/up top with him/behind him – dependent on what you believe.

Likely Line-up: Loach; Doyley, Mariappa, M.Taylor, A.Taylor; Mutch, Eustace (c), McGinn; Cowie, Graham, Buckley.

Away Form: Crystal Palace 3-2 Watford, Burnley 3-2 Watford, Barnsley 0-0 Watford.