Saturday, December 25, 2010

QPR v Swansea Preview: Stopping Adel Taarabt is Key Job for Joe Allen

Filed under: , , , ,

Adel Taarabt, QPR, 241210CHAMPIONSHIP: LOFTUS ROAD, SUNDAY DECEMBER 26, 2010. KICK-OFF: 1300 GMT

Queens Park Rangers enter into the hectic festive period with plenty of hope that this season could be the one that sees them rejoin the Premier League.

Such has been their excellent start to the season that their manager, Neil Warnock, was willing to allow his players to spend the whole of Christmas Day with their families.

Rangers are currently top of the table and sit three points clear of Leeds United, but recently the London side have seen results not go in their favour.

Their opponents Swansea have also enjoyed a great start to the campaign and are in fourth place, just four points behind QPR, and looking to capitalise should Rangers falter.

Key Match-up:
Adel Taarabt v Joe Allen: Much of what Rangers do in the attacking third passes through the talented midfielder. Taarabt has been identified as the lynchpin in his team, yet there is a growing concern that opposing teams have now figured how best to contain the former Tottenham star.

Trying to keep Taarabt under control is Allen. The 20-year-old is likely to be handed a man-to-man making role to nullify Taarabt's influence on the game. The Welsh international is a fierce competitor and will relish the midfield battle.

Form Guide:
Rangers have suffered back-to-back defeats and their form now reads only three wins in their last 11 matches. However, Warnock's side does boast an excellent defensive record with 11 clean sheets this season. Swansea's own form has also dipped. The Swans have won only one of their last five games, on top of that, they have never won a league game at Loftus Road.

Odds:
QPR 11/10, Swansea 5/2, Draw 23/10

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/12/25/qpr-v-swansea-preview-stopping-adel-taarabt-is-key-job-for-joe/

Ronaldinho Ronaldo Rory McIlroy Ruud van Nistelrooy Ryan Giggs

No comments:

Post a Comment