Sheffield United v QPR: Blades Look Sharper at Home?
Both of these sides are expected to be among the promotion candidates come May but it was a tale of two different starts for Sheffield United and QPR.
It could be said that Sheffield United were unlucky to leave St Mary’s with nothing to their name after old faithful Kevin Phillips came off the bench to score the injury time winner for Birmingham. The Blades didn’t look very sharp particularly during the opening stages of their first clash with last season’s Premier League side faster off the starting blocks. One Blade did shine though; Billy Sharp (so many jokes) proved more than a handful for Birmingham’s defence although Ridgewell managed to keep him well maintained. Perhaps he will have a freer time against QPR here.
Fitz Hall was the unlikely hero for QPR last weekend. The Walthamstow-born defence came up trumps by netting both Rangers’ goals - two goals more than last season’s tally - after they had fallen behind just five minutes in against Barnsley. He even had opportunity for his hat trick. But the most influential Rangers player was that of Argentinian Ledesma who set up Hall’s first and continued to disjoint the Barnsley defence. He’s definitely one to watch here and he’ll need to be on the top of his game if he’s to rectify Rangers’ record at Bramall Lane.
In the last nine seasons, QPR have won just once at the Lane; a 3-2 victory in 2005/06. It is a notoriously difficult ground to go to and leave with all three points; the last team to do so was Charlton on 1st March 2008. Can the now rich Rangers follow in their fellow London based clubs footsteps?
Pundits Pick: United’s excellent home record is preserved (draw)
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Tags: Blades, Championship, Football Predictions, footy 15, Match Preview, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United
