Barnsley v QPR Preview

Posted on | February 27, 2009 | No Comments

Both of these teams have plenty to play for with Barnsley fighting the drop while QPR are aiming to make a late play off push. Recent form for the two sides has been slightly indifferent as well with Barnsley ending a disastrous run that saw them lose five games on the bounce, while QPR have made a few slip ups meaning that they’re now five points away from the top six.

Barnsley are a side who have been around the relegation places for pretty much the entire season, although at one point they built an eight point gap which suggested they may just be pushing away. However, a disastrous January saw them lose all five of their games and that’s meant that Simon Davey’s men are well and truly back fighting for their lives. Just three points separate them from 22nd placed Norwich, although one positive is that they do have two games in hand over the Canaries. They’ve managed to collect four points out of their last two games as a victory over local rivals Sheffield Wednesday was then followed up by a draw with Charlton. A lot of Tykes fans were unhappy with the last result though and felt that considering they were playing a side bottom of the league at home, they should have adopted a more attacking approach. This has meant that Simon Davey has come under plenty of criticism and having spent more money than most Barnsley managers over the years, Davey knows that it’s paramount his side edge further away from the drop zone for his sake as well.

As for QPR, it’s been a season of turbulence for the R’s. Having been labeled as favorites for the title at the start of the season, their position of 11th will hardly go down well with supporters. However, there’s still a glimmer of hope for a top six finish although five points separate them from the play off positions at the moment. The problem for Paulo Sousa has been recent results, with the R’s last win coming just over a month ago. Since then they’ve recorded three draws and a defeat to Ipswich, so things really will have to pick up if they are to meet the bookies pre-season expectations and gain promotion to the top flight.

Barnsley will be missing two key players coming into this one as Jamaican duo Darren Moore and Jamal Campbell-Ryce will both miss out through suspension. However, Simon Davey has a readymade replacement in Dennis Souza to replace Moore, while Adam Hammill is tipped to replace Campbell-Ryce. QPR don’t have any new concerns although Paulo Sousa may look to hand Jordi Lopez a start. The former Real Madrid man is yet to make his debut for Rangers although after starting on the bench against Cardiff midweek, he may be given a chance to shine on Saturday.

In terms of a prediction, we’re going to go for an away win. Although Barnsley have looked fairly sound defensively recently, we think QPR have too much quality and will see off the Tykes in this one – 1-0 R’s.

Related posts:

1. Barnsley vs Derby Preview
2. Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday Preview
3. Watford v Barnsley Preview
4. Barnsley v Burnley Preview
5. Barnsley v Nottingham Forest Preview

Comments