QPR vs West Ham
Venue: Loftus Road
Kick off: 3pm
Queens Park Rangers continue their battle against the drop when they face off against West Ham United at Loftus Road.
The R’s are two points adrift of safety and desperately need to close the gap to their rivals, with time fast running out to save themselves from relegation.
It has been two weeks since Chris Ramsey’s men were last in action when they sustained a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Chelsea, which could have major consequences for them come the end of the season.
The R’s dropped points for the second time in a week as they were unable to hold on to all three points in their clash against Aston Villa, which would have pulled the Hoops closer to safety.
However, it was not to be and Ramsey’s men now face an uphill task following Leicester City’s upsurge in form to avoid relegation back to the Championship.
QPR looked to have given themselves a real boost when they defeated West Bromwich Albion three weeks ago in a convincing 4-1 victory at The Hawthorns.
However, results from the teams around them prevented the win from having a major effect on their league position.
Their defeat to Chelsea was the first game the R’s had gone without scoring in the Premier League in eight matches, and it will be pleasing for Ramsey to know that his side can perform at one end of the pitch.
Ramsey’s side’s main problem has been conceding goals as they have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, conceding 59 goals in their 33 matches this season.
The club have also failed to keep a clean sheet since the beginning of February, a run that has stretched for eight matches.
QPR’s home form kept them in touch with their rivals at the start of the season, but since the turn of the year the club have failed to record a victory at Loftus Road.
Ramsey’s men have two matches left at home this season, and anything other than six points may not be good enough to keep them in the division.
West Ham were on course to challenge for a place in Europe in December when they sat in fourth place in the Premier League.
The goals of Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia were helping Sam Allardyce bring the attractive football he had promised to the club’s supporters, along with positive results to alleviate the pressure on the 60-year-old.
The Hammers have been linked with several managers to replace Allardyce, who it appears could be paying the price for his side’s mediocrity and their lack of success in the cup competitions.
West Ham travel to Loftus Road without a win on the road since December 2, when they defeated West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.
Meanwhile, they have also lost their last three matches on the spin away from Upton Park.
QPR possible starting lineup: Green; Isla, Onuoha, Caulker, Hill, Phillips, Sandro, Barton, Fer, Austin, Zamora.
West Ham possible starting lineup: Adrian, Jenkinson, Cresswell, Kouyate, Reid, Downing, Noble, Collins, Cole, Song, Valencia.