Premier League preview: QPR v Liverpool

20 March 2012 10:27

Relegation strugglers Queens Park Rangers are unlikely to find much-needed points easy to come by at home to Liverpool on Wednesday.

Mark Hughes' QPR side have slipped into the bottom three in the English Premier League after losing four and drawing two of their last six matches.

They face arguably the hardest run-in of any team in danger of the drop, with the visit of Liverpool the first in a sequence of daunting fixtures.

After that they go to Sunderland next Saturday, before matches at home to Arsenal and away to Manchester United.

QPR's last fixture ended in a 2-1 loss away to fellow relegation candidates Bolton Wanderers.

The match officials at the Reebok Stadium incurred the wrath of Hughes after his team were denied a goal, despite Clint Hill's shot appearing to cross the line.

If the promoted club is to preserve its top-flight status at the first attempt, the players will need their luck to change when Kenny Dalglish brings Liverpool to Loftus Road this week.

In contrast to struggling QPR, morale is likely to be high among Dalglish's players, who have won their last two matches in succession.

A 3-0 derby win at home to Everton last Tuesday was followed by a 2-1 victory over Stoke City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Liverpool could face local rivals Everton again in the last four of competition, but only if the Goodison Park outfit can win their replay away to Sunderland.

With that fixture in mind, it will be important for Liverpool, who are seventh on the Premier League table, to maintain momentum, and keep the pressure on the European challengers above them in the standings.

Both teams have their fair share of injury worries prior to the clash.

QPR forwards Heidar Helguson (groin) DJ Campbell (hamstring) and Federico Macheda (ankle) are all out.

Defender Fitz Hall and playmaker Adel Taarabt are both doubtful, while midfielder Alejandro Faurlin will not play again this season due to a knee ligament injury.

As for Liverpool, defender Daniel Agger has been ruled out, while fullback Glen Johnson and forward Craig Bellamy are doubtful.

Holding player Lucas Leiva will not return this season as he continues to recover from a serious knee injury.