QPR v Cardiff Preview

Posted on | November 7, 2008 | No Comments

These two sides are right next to each other in the table and both hold play off aspirations. While QPR were the bookies favorites to go up following massive cash injections, things haven’t exactly worked out to plan and as it stands they are managerless following Iain Dowie’s dismissal. Cardiff on the other hand have been enjoying some great form although their top six hopes took a knockback following a 2-1 defeat at home to Wolves last weekend.

It’s thought that QPR owner Flavio Briatore wants current Caretaker manager Gareth Ainsworth to take over the reins full time. That was reported after Ainsworth oversaw his side grind out a good draw with Reading before then going onto beat promotion hopefuls Birmingham, although things haven’t quite been perfect following a 2-0 defeat to Ipswich last week. However, the R’s are still in the mix for promotion and lie just outside the play off positions in 7th position. Owner Briatore has come out this week and said that part of the reason for Dowie’s exit was due to the fact he didn’t like the football his manager was enforcing. Although the goals are hardly flying in from all directions now and it’s not quite 100% football, if results carry on like this surely Gareth Ainsworth must be confident of getting the job on a permanent basis.

As for Cardiff, all the talk at Ninian Park this week has been about new signing Michael Chopra. Last Saturday was a sorry day for Dave Jones, with the Bluebirds boss seeing his side lose to Wolves and also see strikers Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd hobble off injured. However, you could say those injuries were a blessing in disguise, with the Cardiff board somehow managing to pull off the sensational swoop and bring Chopra back to the place where he made his name. It’s only a two month loan deal although as he proved a couple of years ago, he knows this division like the back of his hand and will be confident of finding his feet in front of goal again. With Cardiff now just having a three point cushion in the top six, Jones will be hoping that Chopra’s presence can help improve that margin.

Gareth Ainsworth has the nice dilemma on whether or not to throw Patrick Agyemang back into the reckoning. The striker has been injured and hasn’t featured since October, yet he’s now back in contention and it’ll be interesting to see how Ainsworth reacts. Mikele Leigertwood continues his suspension but other than that, the Caretaker has no worries. It’s strange news for Cardiff with the club revealing that three unknown players may not feature due to sickness and diarreah. Dave Jones will wait until the last minute for the trio, yet isn’t giving any clues as to their identity. Elsewhere, Michael Chopra will make his second debut for the Bluebirds after joining on loan earlier this week.

All the attention will be on Michael Chopra yet as he’s not played much over the past few months, we shouldn’t expect too much. We think QPR could shade this one instead and will go for the steady 1-0 prediction.

Related posts:

1. Cardiff v Crystal Palace Preview
2. Cardiff v Bristol City Preview
3. Doncaster v Cardiff Preview
4. Cardiff v Leicester Preview
5. Wolves v Cardiff Preview

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