QPR v Spurs: Will Spurs put their FA Cup injustice behind them?
Tottenham Hotspur were denied a chance of playing in this season's FA Cup final by a goal that never was against Chelsea last weekend. Today they get back to league action, desperate to keep hold of their place in the top four, but will they put their Wembley injustice behind them or will QPR pile more misery on Harry Redknapp's men?
QPR have won their last three home games - Liverpool, Arsenal and Swansea - to give their survival hopes a huge shot in the arm. Four of their five home wins have come during 2012 and Mark Hughes will be praying Loftus Road will remain a fortress tonight.
Tottenham's Champions League hopes have fallen off the tracks in recent weeks. Since thrashing Newcastle United 5-0 on February 11, Spurs have won only once in the league - v Swansea City. Third place was theirs for the taking, but they start the weekend five points behind their arch rivals Arsenal, who play Chelsea in the lunchtime kick-off.
Spurs emerged victorious against QPR at the Lane in October, but this is a different Rangers side. Hughes has installed some belief into his players and they all know what is required of them. By kick-off they will know how Blackburn, Bolton and Wigan have fared, but a victory here will give them a huge lift regardless of what goes on elsewhere.
But who will come out on top in this crucial London derby? Our pundits believe Spurs will get something out of this game.
QPR v Spurs; Kick Off 5.30pm April 21 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
Panel Verdict
Spurs should take at least a point from this one.
Home: 4; Draw: 12; Away: 15. TBA 5
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
