Loftus Road will witness football action when QPR clash with champions Manchester United in match week 16 of the Premier League on Sunday, December 18, 2011.
QPR are coming off a 1-0 loss away at Liverpool, in match week 15. QPR emerged with their dignity intact against their accomplished rivals, and they owed it to a sterling display by veteran goalkeeper Radek Cerny who kept the Liverpool forwards at bay for the most part. But for the keeper, Liverpool's star Uruaguayan striker Suarez could have had a hat-trick but had to remain satisfied with just the solitary goal, off a header on 48 minutes. The pressure told on Liverpool and QPR came close to getting an equaliser when Martin Skrtel kicked QPR midfielder Faurlin in the late stages of the game but the penalty shout was ignored by the referee.
In match week 15, Man United registered a thumping 4-1 victory over Wolves, in a match hosted by the Red Devils at Old Trafford. This was United's most convincing win getting their title defence back on track after it had flagged in recent weeks following a 6-1 loss at home to Man City. In a welcome return to form, Wayne Rooney scored a brace and that must be an ominous sign for United's rivals who will be wary of the star striker's propensity to score goals in bunches. Rooney's return to form coincided happily with the reduction of his Euro 2012 ban and he was assisted by brilliant performances from Nani and Valencia, the latter dazzled with some brilliant crosses. Jones showcased his talent in midfield. On the flip side, Wolves forward Matt Jarvis proved a handful for Chris Smalling in United's back-line.
Head to head, in the last 18 years, Man City and Arsenal have met in 6 league games, with United winning on 5 occasions and the remaining game ending in a stalemate. The last time these teams met was in March 1996; that match hosted by QPR ended in a 1-1 draw.
QPR have won 2, drawn 3 and lost 5 of their last 10 league matches, while Man United have won 6, drawn 3 and lost 1 of their last 10 games.
Currently in 13th place on the league table, QPR have hosted 7 home games, this season, winning 1, drawing 4 and losing the remaining 2; the Old Trafford side who are 2nd placed on the table behind Man City have had 5 wins and 2 draws, in their 7 away games.
Though QPR are likely to be out of their league against the champions, Neil Warnock's side have shown sufficient glimpses of their potential to be able to salvage a point from the game. That said, the home side will have to be at the top of their game against a United squad who are just two points adrift of Man City and likely to go for the kill.
QPR's starting eleven against Liverpool: Radek Cerny, Luke Young, Daniel Gabbidon, Anton Ferdinand, Armand Traore, Jamie Mackie, Joey Barton, Alejandro Faurlin, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tommy Smith, Jay Bothroyd
Man United's starting eleven against Wolves: David De Gea, Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Evans, Patrice Evra, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Phil Jones, Luis Nani, Danny Wellbeck, Wayne Rooney
