EPL 2011-12 Preview: Stoke City Vs QPR

Britannia Stadium will witness Premier League action on Saturday 19 November 2011, when Stoke City host QPR on Matchday 12.

Stoke City are coming off a humiliating defeat at Bolton on Matchday 11. The visitors were completely outclassed when Davies gave the hosts an early 2-minute lead. The teams went to half-time, with Bolton leading 2-0, thanks to a second goal, in the 23rd minute, from Eagles. Bolton, who lost to Stoke in last year’s FA Cup semi-final, got their revenge, as Eagles scored another second-half goal, and Kalsnic also helped himself with a brace. The Europa League midweek game in Israel would have had a draining effect on the Potters who will be looking to make amends against QPR.

QPR went down fighting, losing 3-2 to table leaders Manchester City in a home game, at Loftus Road, in match week 11. QPR became the first team to take a lead against City, this season, when Bothroyd put them ahead on 28 minutes. City leveled the score through Dzeko 13 minutes later and the teams went into half-time at 1-1. Silva put City ahead 7 minutes into the second half, but QPR still did not give up and, on 69 minutes, Helguson made it 2-2 for the hosts. Y Touré’s 74th-minute header proved decisive for City, and QPR were left to mourn their missed chance to earn a point when Helguson’s shot, eight minutes from time, hit the crossbar.

Head to head, in the last 10 years, Stoke City and QPR have met in 10 league games, both teams have won four each, with the remaining two games drawn. The last time these teams met was in March 2008, that match organized by QPR was won 3-0 by the Loftus Road side.

Stoke City have won 3, lost 5 and drawn the remaining 2 of their last 10 league matches, while QPR have won 3, drawn 3 and lost 4 of their last 10.

Currently 12th in the league table, the Potters have hosted 5 home games, this season, winning and drawing 2 each, while losing the remaining game; Ranked 11th, QPR have had 2 wins and 3 losses in their 5 away games.

Stoke City’s starting XI against Bolton: Begovic, Wilkinson, Woodgate, Upson, Huth, Pennant, Delap, Whelan, Walters, Crouch, Jerome

QPR starting XI against Manchester City: Kenny, Young, Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Traore, Mackie, Barton, Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Bothroyd, Helguson