Premier League preview: QPR v Fulham

After a humiliating defeat to Fulham earlier this season, Queens Park Rangers will be out for revenge when they meet again on Saturday.

Led by Andrew Johnson’s hat-trick, Fulham handed QPR a 6-0 thrashing when the London rivals, whose grounds are situated just three miles apart, met in October.

Bobby Zamora was also on the scoresheet that day, and the forward now dons QPR colours after moving in January.

QPR, who are winless in four matches in all competitions and sit 16th in the English Premier League, have replaced Neil Warnock with Mark Hughes since the embarrassing loss.

Midfielder Shaun Derry said on Tuesday his team were desperate to make amends for the defeat.

“That was embarrassing for the players and the fans. It was our worst performance of the season,” Derry told the Fulham Chronicle.

“No-one wants to lose like that, especially to your local rivals, but we’re a completely different team now.”

Zamora could be in for an interesting reception from the visiting fans at Loftus Road after making the move on January 31.

Hughes’ men have only won one of their last 13 league outings, a worrying run that has left them in a relegation battle and equal on points with 18th-placed Wolves.

Djibril Cisse, who scored on his debut after joining in January, was sent off against Wolves on February 4, and serves the second match of a three-game ban against Fulham.

Likely to be joining him on the sidelines are QPR top-scorer Heidar Helguson and fellow attacker DJ Campbell because of injury.

Fulham, who have won just once in 12 away games this campaign, make the short road trip and will hope forward Clint Dempsey (10 league goals) can continue his fine form.

The American has netted four goals in his last five outings in all competitions, although he was not on the scoresheet in Fulham’s 2-1 win over Stoke City last time out.

Martin Jol has injury concerns of his own with Philippe Senderos and Steve Sidwell missing, while Johnson is also likely to play no part in the derby.

It shapes as an opportunity for Fulham to record back-to-back league wins for the first time since April last year, although QPR will be desperate to get even after the crushing loss earlier this season.