|
Luton - Luton's injury problems have again been aggravated over the Christmas period, although some selection problems are not injury problems. Dean Kiely will not play against QPR on Saturday due to him being on loan and because Portsmouth won't allow it. Therefore, Marlon Beresford will return to the first team for the first time since November in the Cup. David Bell is also set to miss the match on Saturday at Loftus Road after getting himself sent off on New Year's Day. This means that Steve Robinson will probably return in central midfield, although there are doubts over who will partner him. Richard Langley may start against his former club if he can shake off a knock picked up on New Year's Day against Cardiff, otherwise Peter Holmes may be in line for a start. Markus Heikkinen isn't an option in the central midfield position as he is still ruled out from an injury picked up against Birmingham City. However, Chris Coyne may feature after resuming training this week, and Leon Barnett's suspension doesn't come into force until next week against West Brom, so both are available. Unfortunately, with Carlos Edwards' departure midweek and Kevin Foley's injury, it means that the only right-back at the club is the one and only Keith Keane, so he may get a start. Lewis Emanuel may feature after picking up a knock against West Brom and missing out against Cardiff, but other than that Sam Parkin, Paul Underwood and Calvin Andrew are still long-term absentees.
Predicted Team - Beresford (GK), Davis (DL), Keane (DR), Perrett (DC), Barnett (DC), Morgan (ML), Brkovic (MR), Langley (MC), Robinson (capt) (MC), Vine (SC), Feeney (SC)
QPR - QPR appear to have considerably less injury problems than Luton do. Martin Rowlands is in line to play - as is Marc Bircham, although neither player is certain to make an appearance after picking up knocks in the Christmas matches. Sampsa Timoska may also make his debut for QPR tomorrow, and Jimmy Smith has been cleared to play. Smith is on loan from Chelsea, and the Premiership champions have no problems with him featuring tomorrow. Queens Park Rangers have won their last two home matches against Colchester and Barnsley, both 1-0. In fact, 5 of their last 6 matches have finished 1-0, the exception being Birmingham away, which Birmingham won 2-1 at St. Andrews. QPR's top scorers are Dexter Blackstock and Martin Rowlands, who have 6 goals each, and Blackstock has already scored against Luton this season. Luton have a pretty dismal record away to QPR, winning just 6 matches (the last in 84-85) out of 46. QPR also have a better head to head record generally against Luton. The two teams have played in many FA Cup matches in the history of the competition. The very first was back in 1929-30, which Luton lost 3-2. Luton have only won once in the FA Cup against QPR in 1987-88, the same season Luton reached the semi-finals. So don't expect another win.
Prediction
With Luton's away form, we probably won't be able to record a victory over Rangers. However, I think that we can get a draw, or that may just be blind optimism. 1-1.