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Venue & KO Time: Old Trafford, April 8th 5:55 P.M (IST)
Manchester United team news:
United consolidated their five point lead at the top of the premier league table with a win over Blackburn Rovers last week. They are in a strong run, having won the last eight premier league games on the trot. Valencia is in a great form having assisted 12 times this season and scored four goals in 16 premier league starts so far. Rooney who has 21 goals in the premier league to his name this season has scored seven goals in the last eight matches in all competitions. He along with Valencia and Evans are among the first names on the team sheet. David de Gea has impressed between the sticks, coming up with forced successive premier league clean sheets. The impressive partnership of Ferdinand and Evans is keeping out Smalling and Jones for the Centre Back positions. Rafael and Evra are expected to flank the right and left wingback positions respectively. Nani too has returned from injury which gives Sir Alex another attacking option. Young has started showing flashes of his early season form and scored a brilliant goal against Rovers. Michael Carrick is certain to occupy one of the Central midfield positions. Tom Cleverley might make the cut for the other position to get some game time and regain his match sharpness. Upfront Welbeck might get the nod ahead of Chicharito for his impressive work rate and good linkup play with Rooney.
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Probable Line-up: De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Rooney, Welbeck.
Subs: Amos, Smalling, Jones, Scholes, Pogba, Nani, Chicharito.
Last five results at home: WWWWW
Man to watch: Antonio Valencia – He is in deadly form and will be the main source of threat from the right wing. QPR defense must be on their toes and make sure they keep Valencia under bay to expect any sort of positive result from Old Trafford.
Queens Park Rangers team news:
QPR are near the drop zone and will do their best to come out of Old Trafford with at least a point. They pulled off morale boosting wins against Arsenal last weekend and Liverpool the week before. They will be in a confident mood to pull off a shock result at Manchester this week. QPR have been woeful away from home and are without a win in 12 away games so far. Kenny is expected to retain the goalkeeping duties. Anton Ferdinand and Hill will make the cut at the back with Nedum Onuoha and Taiwo occupying the fullback positions. Club captain Joey Barton has been recently criticized by his own fans for poor displays on the pitch. Match against the current champions might be the perfect platform for him to prove a point. Diakite who scored the winning goal against Arsenal last week might partner Barton at the centre of the park. They will be supported by Adel Taarabt and Shaun Wright Philips in the flanks. News that Heidur Helguson and DJ Campbell are close to fitness will be a huge boost for Mark Hughes’ men. Helguson is their top scorer so far with nine goals to his name. Bobby Zamora is expected to keep his position upfront in the absence of Djibril Cisse who will continue the second of his four match suspension.
Probable Lineup: Kenny, Onuoha, Hill, Ferdinand, Taiwo, Taarabt, Diakite, Barton, Shaun Wright Philips, Zamora, Bothroyd.
Subs: Cerny, Young, Gabbidon, Mackie, Buszacky, Helguson, DJ Campbell.
Last five away results: LDLLL
Man to watch: Bobby Zamora – The striker purchased from Fulham is a composed player who provides a different dimension for QPR’s attack. He gave an impressive performance against Arsenal last week. He is expected to play a key role in QPR’s bid for survival in the premier league.
PREDICTION: Manchester United 2-0 QPR.
ELSEWHERE: Manchester City face a rejuvenated Arsenal side at Emirates. If United win against QPR, City will be under pressure to cut the lead at the top. Chelsea welcome Wigan Athletic to Stamford Bridge and Tottenham travel to Sunderland.
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