Friday Football: City vs. QPR

On Sky

It’s a case of lights, camera, action at Ashton Gate tonight as bottom-of-the-league City take on table-topping Queens Park Rangers live on the box.

The Super Hoops will be wanting the points to keep up their battle to get into the top flight while City boss Keith Millen would be only too happy if his side could repeat Tuesday night’s win over Reading.

The R’s arrive in BS3 looking to set a new club record. Tuesday’s draw at Swansea stretched their unbeaten start to 12 games – equalling a club record set way back in 1947/48.

Despite trailing Rangers by 19 points, City will be buoyed by our first home victory of the season on Tuesday then there’s the Neil Warnock factor!

Warnock, who’s now boss of the West London club, has a history with City fans and won’t be looking back too fondly on his last visit.

His Crystal Palace side lost to a last-minute Nicky Maynard goal after scoring the ‘goal that never was’. Warnock labelled City as ‘cheats’ that night and will be guaranteed of a white hot reaction tonight.

Vital Quotes:

City boss Keith Millen…
“It is a lot easier to select a team after you have won because you don’t want to change it too much.”

QPR’s midfield enforcer Shaun Derry on past visits to BS3…
“It has been tough going down at Ashton Gate in the past for me.

“But this is a completely new team on so many levels and I’m hoping it won’t be another hard luck story.”

Bristol City Team News:

Keith Millen could be afforded the luxury of naming an unchanged side for the visit of QPR.

Only midfielder Cole Skuse remains sidelined by the heel injury that ruled him against Reading in midweek, which means Lee Johnson should keep his place.

Meanwhile, Sam Vokes’ return has been held up following a slight recurrence of a hamstring problem.

The striker, on loan from Wolves, suffered a grade two tear on his City debut against Millwall on the opening day of the season.

Player to watch: Jon Stead

Three goals, three assists so far this season in all competitions and easily our best player this season.

Queens Park Rangers Team News:

Tommy Smith could make his full QPR debut.

The versatile attacker has yet to start a game since joining from Portsmouth in August.

But with the fixtures coming thick and fast and Rangers heading west on the back of two goalless draws, boss Neil Warnock is considering throwing him in at the deep end.

Former City defender Bradley Orr could also return to the starting line-up after overcoming a calf problem that has ruled him out of the last six games.

Midfielder Akos Buzsaky is still out with a knee injury so Alejandro Faurlin continues in the centre.

Player to watch: Adel Taarabt

QPR’s flair player, the former Tottenham midfielder has been in irrestible form, scoring four goals and seven assists so far. Needs watching very closely.

Match Facts & Stats

? Rangers have not won at Ashton Gate in eight years, their last came when they beat City 3-1 in a League One match in 2002.
? Tuesday’s victory over Reading was City’s first home win since April, when we beat Derby at the Gate 2-1.
? QPR are the only unbeaten team in England other than Manchester United.
? QPR have only shipped THREE goals in 12 league games to date.
? QPR are the only unbeaten team in England other than Manchester United.

? Pre-match odds:
City 11/4, Draw 12/5, QPR evens. (odds supplied by Ladbrokes)

Ref Watch:

Lee Mason

Match Prediction:

CITY 1-1 QPR
They visitors will be strong but if City can put in the same sort of committed performance that they did against Reading, then could come away with a point.