QPR play host to Swansea City as the Rangers revolution continues

Queens Park Rangers’ transition from second-tier strugglers to promotion contenders continues on Tuesday night as Russell Martin’s Swansea City visit Loftus Road.

Victory for QPR would be their fourth in succession following Saturday’s 2-1 win against Coventry City and move the Hoops to within two points of second-placed Blackburn Rovers, despite having played a fixture less.

Manager Mark Warburton admitted the Hoops were fortunate to come away from the Coventry Building Society Arena with all three points at the weekend, although, it would be unfair to claim that luck has been a deciding factor in what has been a magnificent season thus far for Rangers.

The Swans have endured an indifferent campaign that has been recently disrupted with a number of COVID-19 enforced postponements. They currently sit in an underwhelming position of 17th and were winless in four Championship matches prior to their 1-0 win over Preston North End.

Ex-QPR man Ryan Manning struck the winner against the Lilywhites on Saturday and the Republic of Ireland international will be looking to make his first appearance against his former side, having been an unused substitute on both occasions last year.

Team news

The hosts’ impressive form is made even more admirable when considering that they have been without several first-team regulars in recent times.

Ilias Chair, Seny Dieng and Osman Kakay are all due to return from the Africa Cup of Nations in the near future, but will, once more, be absent for the visit of the Jack Army.

Andre Gray has also been called up for international duty and will be missing tonight. The on-loan Watford striker has jetted off to represent Jamaica as the Reggae Boyz face off against Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica.

Skipper, Stefan Johansen was missing for the triumph over Coventry and the former Fulham midfielder remains a doubt for tonight.

David Marshall will continue in goal with the Scottish international having impressed in victories against Mark Robins’ side and West Bromwich Albion since joining from Derby County.

Swansea, meanwhile, have no fresh injury concerns but will, again, be without one of their major attacking forces.

Jamie Paterson has struck eight goals in only 22 appearances so far this season after signing a one-year deal at the Liberty Stadium following his release from Bristol City.

However, Paterson has missed the last three fixtures and is understood to be unhappy with the terms of a clause in his contract that sees his stay with the Swans extended to 2023 once the attacker makes a certain number of appearances for the club.

In spite of their being a willingness from both sides for Paterson to remain with Swansea, it is believed that he was expecting better terms than what has been offered as part of the extended deal and told Martin and sporting director Mark Allen that he is not in the right frame of mind to play.

Both teams are expected to line up in a system that contains three central defenders, with width provided by marauding wing-backs. The final outcome could rest upon the performances of star strikers Lyndon Dikes and Joël Piroe.

Mark Warburton

Ex-Brentford boss Warburton was keen to emphasise that Swansea’s mid-table position is not reflective of their performances this season and acknowledged the talent that Martin is able to call upon.

“I think their (Swansea’s) league position is somewhat false, they have played two or three games less than the sides around them, so they could move very quickly up the table with those games in hand.

“They have players who want to get on the ball, they have quality up top, so we have no lack of respect for Swansea and they will present us with a formidable challenge, one that we have to meet.”

Russell Martin

Likewise, Martin was complimentary of the Hoops which, perhaps, is not a complete surprise with both sides opting to play an attractive, possession-based, attacking style of football.

“They (QPR) are a team that I really like, and they have a manager with great experience and play in a good style,” he said.

“They’ve had a lot of time together so they’re really well drilled. They started the season well and they have just carried that on and built a lot of momentum.

“They have some really dangerous players, especially at the top end of the pitch so it will be a tough game, but one we can really look forward to after Saturday.”

Head-to-head

An ideal scenario for the Swans will see them replicate arguably their best-ever away win. On the opening day of the 2012/2013 Premier League season, Michael Laudrup began his tenure at the club with a thumping 5-0 win at Loftus Road.

Now considered as one of the top-flight’s greatest “one-season wonders”, Spanish forward Michu netted a brace on his Swansea debut, as did Nathan Dyer while wantaway winger Scott Sinclar completed the rout.

Although, QPR also have a big win of their own in recent times to use as motivation.  Rangers progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2020 having swept aside Swansea in a 5-1 win.

Spectacular volleys were the trend that day, Jordan Hugill opened the scoring after controlling a cross well before further stunning strikes from Lee Wallace and Josh Scowen sealed the win. There was another first-half goal for Hugill and one for Bright Osayi-Samuel. George Byers scored for the visitors.

Neither side has held the upper hand over each other following Swansea’s relegation to the Championship in 2018. Since then, there have been six second-tier meetings with the Welsh outfit winning three, the Hoops coming out on top twice and a 0-0 draw in 2020.

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