Preview | Queens Park Rangers v Swansea City
Swansea City are looking to make it back-to-back away wins as they travel to Loftus Road this afternoon to face Queens Park Rangers.
Russell Martin’s side head into the fixture buoyed by their 3-1 win at Sunderland last weekend, while QPR will be looking for their first home win since October.
That only tells half the story however. The R’s very nearly beat automatic-promotion favourites Sheffield United in their last game at home with the Blades scoring a last-ditch equaliser in the sixth minute of added time to snatch a point.
Team news
Russell Martin confirmed that Morgan Whittaker is in Swansea City’s squad for this afternoon's meeting with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
The forward, who was recently recalled from a successful loan spell at Plymouth, had been the subject of a bid from an unnamed club, which was immediately rejected.
The uncertainty over Whittaker’s future meant he was not considered for the trip to Sunderland last week, but is in contention for selection in west London.
Matt Grimes is also fit after taking a knock in the FA Cup defeat to Bristol City.
Pre-match views
Russell Martin:
"They've had an enforced change in terms of the manager leaving, it's a manger that knows us very well as we played against them in League One when he was at Blackpool.
"He'll know us fairly well and we'll know him well. they have a really good squad, especially at the top end of the pitch.
"We're taking a lot of supporters and it's a good ground to generate a good atmosphere in. we're looking forward to it.
"I enjoyed playing there as a player. especially playing full-back, you take two steps for a throw-in and the fans will give you a slap on the back!
"I think they'll be desperate to get something going. i think we've only lost two out of the last eight away games, it's a pretty good record as far as away records go."
Neil Critchley:
"Their performance against Watford (won 4-0) shows you what they are capable of. They are an outstanding football team in the way that they play the game and they provide you with a unique challenge in this division.
“They have some top-quality players and I am sure Russell (Martin), like myself, would like to be more consistent to be competing at the top end of this division.
“We know what we are going to be facing, it will be a really tough game and they provide problems but it is up to us to play our game and provide problems for Swansea as well.
“I am looking forward to it. We are at home, we need to improve our home form and it would be nice to give our supporters three points.”
Remember the last time?
Swansea City had to settle for a point on their last trip to Loftus Road as the sides played out a goalless draw despite the visitors being reduced to 10 men.
Neither side managed to create any clear cut chances in the first half but the game opened up after the restart.
Joel Piroe saw an effort saved by David Marshall, while at the other end Luke Amos struck the foot of the post.
Ben Hamer had to be at his best to deny Lyndon Dykes in the final 10 minutes, while the Swans thought they’d won it late on but Michael Obafemi saw his goal ruled out for offside.
The visitors were then reduced to 10 men as the game edged towards stoppage time as Flynn Downes was given his marching orders following an altercation with Charlie Austin.
Prime numbers
1 – The Swans have lost just one league encounter at Loftus Road since 2012.
4 – Swansea City have scored 39 league goals this term (averaging 1.4 per game), this is the joint-fourth highest in the division with only Burnley, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough finding the back of the net on more occasions.
113 – Liam Cullen is in fine form registering seven goal involvements in 14 games. He came off in the bench in many of those matching meaning he averages a goal every 113 minutes.
