QPR vs. Manchester United: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Queens Park Rangers take on Manchester United at Loftus Road on Saturday in what is likely to be a pivotal game for both Premier League clubs.
Harry Redknapp is facing the sack as QPR manager if his team lose to United, per Darren Lewis and Dave Kidd of the Daily Mirror, following a couple of recent poor results.
United, meanwhile, can’t afford to lose any more ground on leaders Chelsea if Louis van Gaal wants his team at least to make a fight of the title race.
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Here’s all the information you need on where to catch the game and a closer look at Saturday's Premier League fixture.
Date: Saturday, Jan. 17
Time: 3 p.m. (GMT)/10 a.m. (ET)
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (US)
TV Info: NBCSN (US)
United saw their 10-match unbeaten run in the Premier League ended by Southampton last weekend, per the club’s official website. The 1-0 loss at Old Trafford dropped United into fourth place and left them 12 points behind Chelsea.
Manager Van Gaal had left Radamel Falcao out of his 18-man squad for the game against Southampton. He explained that his decision to omit Falcao was tactical, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News.
Falcao was reportedly left in a state of shock at being left out, per Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star. However, a quick return to the team could be on the cards.
Robin van Persie picked up an ankle injury against Southampton and will miss the trip to Loftus Road, per Jamie Jackson of the Guardian. That is likely to pave the way for Falcao's return to the starting line-up.
Van Gaal also has to decide whether to stick with the 3-5-2 formation he has mostly used this season or revert to a diamond formation. That was the system he deployed to earn his first win as United manager in September, which was a 4-0 success over QPR.
QPR have not beaten United at Loftus Road since 1989, per Soccerbase.com, and head into the game on the back of losing at home to Sheffield United in the FA Cup and 2-1 to Burnley on the road last weekend in the Premier League.
That result meant QPR have lost all 10 away games this season, per the club's official website. But at home, QPR are unbeaten in seven in the league and have the best home record in the bottom half of the table.
Just a point outside the relegation zone, a win looks like it has never been more crucial to Redknapp.
January loan signing Mauro Zarate is pushing for his first start after a substitute appearance at Burnley. Adel Taarabt started his first league game of the season at Turf Moor, per Soccerbase.com, but may be left out.
Bobby Zamora's physical presence would be a good option to bring into the team against an unsettled United defence.
With Charlie Austin in attack, QPR certainly have a goal threat to trouble United. But Van Gaal will demand a response after the defeat by Southampton and he can expect to get one.
Prediction: QPR 1 Manchester United 3
