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Premier League preview: QPR v Tottenham

SoccerNews in English Premier League 10 Jan 2013

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QPR get the chance to jump off the bottom of the Premier League table when they host Tottenham in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.

Harry Redknapp’s men enter the clash with just 13 points in the league, but could jump above Reading and into 19th with a positive result against their London rival.

It was 2-1 to Tottenham when the two sides met at White Hart Lane back in September, with an own goal from Alejandro Damian Faurlin and a strike from Jermain Defoe cancelling out Bobby Zamora’s first-half effort for QPR.

But that match was played before Redknapp joined QPR and the west London club have improved considerably since the arrival of the veteran manager.

Redknapp has overseen both of QPR’s league wins this campaign, with the most recent of those a 1-0 upset of west London rival Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Since that confidence-boosting victory, QPR played out a 1-1 draw at home in their third-round FA Cup encounter with West Bromwich Albion so Redknapp’s men can at least lay claim to being unbeaten in 2013.

Still, they have a lot of work to do if they are to remain in the top flight next season as they are five points plus goal difference away from the drop zone.

While things haven’t gone as planned for QPR so far this season, it has been a different story for high-flying Tottenham.

Andre Villas-Boas’ side currently sit in third place and haven’t lost in the league since December 9.

Spurs have won their past three matches, scoring nine goals in the process and conceding just two.

One of the main reasons for their recent good run of form has been the outstanding play of Welsh international Gareth Bale.

Bale scored a hat-trick in Tottenham’s 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa on Boxing Day and now has nine league goals this campaign.

Only Defoe can better that mark – he has 10 league goals – so QPR’s defence will need to keep a close eye on Tottenham’s two danger men.

Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul will miss the QPR clash with a knee problem, while influential midfielder Scott Parker could be in line to start the match.

Luke Young, Anton Ferdinand, Hogan Ephraim, Rob Hulse and Ale Faurlin all featured for QPR reserves in a midweek friendly against Reading and may be included in Redknapp’s match-day squad, but veterans Kieron Dyer and Ryan Nelson will not be.

Dyer was released by the club on Tuesday, while Nelson left Loftus Road to join MLS team Toronto in a managerial role.

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