QPR v Sunderland: Is the Great Escape now on?
QPR gave their survival hopes a massive boost last weekend with a priceless victory over Southampton at St Mary's, but can Harry Redknapp's men take that confidence and belief into today's match against an out-of-sorts Sunderland side?
Well the last time QPR defeated Sunderland Chesney Hawkes ruled the UK charts with his only hit I Am The One And Only, Margaret Thatcher was still in control of the country and the lucrative Premier League had yet to kick off. Yes, we're going back a long, long way with this one, April 6, 1991, to be precise. During that period the R's have lost seven and drawn four, but neither of those results will be good enough in the eyes of Redknapp.
The home side have given themselves a lifeline. They are just four points away from safety, but with only 10 games to go they need to be beating the likes of Sunderland - especially with Reading and Aston Villa squaring up to each other this afternoon.
Back-to-back wins for Sunderland in January against West Ham and Wigan looked to have moved them clear of the relegation issue but they have picked up just two points from a possible 15 since then and currently sit just six points clear of the danger zone. Martin O'Neill's men can turn on the style when they want, but it has been far too often this season for the fans' liking.
QPR remain the league's lowest scorers at home and still only have one home win to their name. They will be full of beans following last weekend's victory at Southampton though and the believers at Loftus Road sense something special.
Can the R's see off Sunderland and keep the Great Escape on track? Our pundits believe they can.
QPR v Sunderland; Kick Off 3pm March 10 2013
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Josh Ben Moshe |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Apoorva Ankur |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man United |
Peter Johnstone |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Stoke City |
Peter Holland |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Spurs |
Adam Crawford |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
2 |
V |
1 |
Panel Verdict
Home win.
Home: 22; Draw: 5; Away: 4. TBA 3.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
