Manchester City vs. QPR: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Date: Saturday, September 1

Time: 12:30 p.m. ET

Location: Etihad Stadium

TV: Fox Soccer

Live Stream: TBD

Preview 

The matchup is all too familiar.

It hasn't been long since Manchester City last hosted Queens Park Rangers at the City of Manchester stadium. Just this past May, the two teams met in the final game of the English Premier League season when City became the first team in EPL history to win a match after trailing in the 90th minute. 

Injury time goals from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero gave Manchester City their second 3-2 victory over QPR on the season and their first league championship since 1968. All at the expense of long-time rival Manchester United. 

This time around, the match doesn't carry nearly the same implications. In just the third week of EPL action, both teams will be looking to build upon rather unimpressive starts. And each has room for improvement. 

For City, an undefeated record with four points in two games can be considered disappointing, as they surrendered two goals in each contest this far. QPR, on the other hand, should be satisfied with a competitive match this weekend. After getting slaughtered 5-0 by Swansea at home in the season's first game, Queens Park Rangers can only hope to steal a point in a stadium where Manchester City hasn't lost in 30 contests. 

Manchester City Breakdown

After holding opponents to one or fewer goals in 14 of 15 games, Manchester City has conceded two goals in back-to-back matches. Fortunately for fans of the Citizens; however, the team is yet to pick up a loss. 

City escaped Anfield last weekend with a point they truly didn't deserve. Mistakes by Liverpool on defense opened the door for both City goals, and the Citizens were able to squeak by with a 2-2 draw. The striker combination play of Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez was noticeably out of synch, highlighting the absence of last season's hero Sergio Aguero. 

A rather inactive transfer season was interrupted today when City announced they were set to sign Swansea winger Scott Sinclair. The deal with the Welsh side is reportedly for around £8 million.

The Citizens look to continue their dominance at home with a 29th victory in 31 tries. 

Queens Park Rangers Breakdown

Unlike City, Queens Park Rangers made a handful of noteworthy moves during the offseason. QPR captain Park Ji-Sung came over from Manchester United and Julio Cesar transferred from Inter Milan in what was a rather shocking deal at the time. 

So far, it hasn't paid off. 

Queens Park Rangers stumbled out of the gate with a 5-0 beating at home before tying Norwich City 1-1. QPR have earned just 21 points in their last 21 EPL games, and it might take a miracle to add to that total in Manchester City. 

Mark Hughes has made it clear that he wants to make changes, and he isn't done yet. The manager's active approach continued today when QPR added depth at the midfield position. The club announced the signing of Real Madrid's Esteban Granero via Twitter. 

With a compilation of individual talents, QPR currently lacks the cohesiveness of a team. They have the skills to compete with some of the best teams in the Premier league, but only time will tell if they can persevere. 

Prediction

The two teams enter Saturday's match on entirely different paths. Both burdened by early-season struggles, City has opted to make mostly adjustments from within while QPR continues its rampage of acquisitions. Queens Park Rangers can find confidence in the fact that their second game of the year showed vast improvements, despite coming away with a draw. But their chances of going into Etihad Stadium and handing City their first home loss in over 30 contests is just unrealistic. 

As much as I would like to pick the underdog, I just don't see it this Saturday. Look for City's attack to find some rhythm and the defense to return to form. 

Pick

Manchester City 3 – 0 Queens Park Rangers