12:00PM BST 17 Aug 2012
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Loftus Road
Kick-off: 15.00 BST.
TV: Highlights BBC ONE Match Of The Day
Queens Park Rangers (Possible, 5-3-2): Green; Fabio, Nelsen, Ferdinand,
Onuoha, Dyer; Mackie, Derry, Park; Cissé, Hoilett.
Out: Barton (suspended), Faurlin (match fitness), Traore (ankle).
Tests: Zamora, Diakité (both knee).
Swansea City (Possible, 4-5-1): Vorm; Rangel, Chico, Williams, Taylor;
Dyer, Britton, Michu, De Guzman, Sinclair; Schechter.
Out: Monk (back).
Referee: Lee Probert. Matches (last season): , Red, Yellow.
Team News
QPR manager Mark Hughes will not name his new captain until he announces the
team for the clash at home to Swansea.
Hughes has a number of candidates to take over from Joey Barton - who is serving a 12-match ban for his dismissal in the final match of last season against Manchester City.
Only Alejandro Faurlin, who is still lacking match sharpness following a long injury lay-off, and Armand Traore (ankle) are definite absentees while Bobby Zamora and Samba Diakite (both knee) could also miss out.
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup is to make a late decision on the availability of Scott Sinclair for their opening Premier League trip to QPR.
Sinclair has told the club he will not sign a new contract at the Liberty Stadium and is set to be sold, but Laudrup is keen to select the winger if he feels mentally ready to feature.
New signings Michu, Chico Flores, Jonathan de Guzman and Itay Shechter are all available while Kyle Bartley could also feature after joining from Arsenal on Thursday.
Defender Garry Monk is set to miss out with a back problem.
Match Notes
After conceding two astonishing late goals – and surviving to tell the tale –
QPR have overhauled their squad to avoid a repeat of such stress.
There is no sign of pesky Joey Barton, who starts his suspension and is linked with Marseille.
Michael Laudrup begins life in the Premier League as his Swansea team try to reproduce the footballing fluency of last season.
Joe Allen's departure and Scott Sinclair's unsettled state have not helped, but Michu is an exciting recruit.
Betting: Home Evens, Away 23-10, Draw 21-10.
Stat of the game: In 16 league visits to Loftus Road, Swansea have never won, losing eight and drawing eight.
Arindam Rej’s prediction: Queens Park Rangers 2 Swansea City 1.
