Joey Barton will return to the QPR squad after missing Wednesdays 1-1 draw with Wigan through suspension. Centre-half Nedum Onouha (hamstring), midfielder Tom Carroll (ankle) and striker Bobby Zamora (knee) are still out as is Niko Kranjcar (hamstring). Derby manager Steve McClaren will expect to take an unchanged squad to Loftus Road to face his former club. Derby defender Zak Whitbread (calf) is still out so Jake Buxton should continue in central defence. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head • 50% of the league fixtures between these clubs at Loftus Road have finished all square (10 of 20), and Derby have won more than they have lost (W6, L4). • Rangers will be keen to extend their unbeaten Championship string against Derby to six (W2, D3). • The Rams last took maximum points away from the west London ground in September 2008, courtesy of a 2-0 victory when both goals came in the last 11 minutes. Queens Park Rangers • Since losing their 11-match unbeaten start, Harry Redknapps side have picked up two points out of six, and have slipped to four points off the pace. • But they remain unbeaten in six home league games (W5, D1). • Wednesdays goalless draw at Wigan was their ninth clean sheet, and means they still own the tightest defence in the Football League, shipping just six goals in 13 games, and just one at home (to Sheffield Wednesday in the opening fixture). • The Hoops are seeking a first goal in three games, and a first win against a fellow top-nine club. Derby County • The Rams have claimed seven points out of nine under Steven McClaren, and are unbeaten in four in which 11 goals were scored. • Only Burnley (five) have won more away Championship matches than Derbys four, and their total of 15 goals on the road is unequalled in the second tier. • The Pride Park club managed to fend off their 700th defeat in second level league football throughout the month of October. • Jamie Ward has scored four goals in his last four league appearances for the Championships joint top scorers.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 20:39:07 +0000
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