G.M's MatchDay Preview: Derby's Defence Is The Key To Rolling Rangers
Monday, 10th Feb 2014 05:07 by George Martin

After a frustrating last gasp 3-3 draw against Birmingham nine days ago, Derby welcome QPR to the iPro for a match live in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

After another missed penalty (why doesn't someone just belt it!), Derby were sparked into life after Birmingham took the lead. Looking comfortable at 3-1, Forsyth gave substitute Burke too much room and time to curl his shot into the far bottom corner.

In the dying moments, Wisdom brilliantly headed the ball behind and was fouled after the ball had gone. No one will ever mention it or report it, but I was there and it was a foul!

Despite the players appealing for a blatant free-kick, the referee gave a corner and after the ball hit the post, Macheda managed to steer the ball home for an undeserved equaliser. Two points dropped.

Moving on to tonight’s clash - QPR bring their Premier League experience and millions of dollars to the iPro Stadium - for what should be an entertaining fixture.

Derby could bring back Dawkins to the starting line up, but with Bamford in scoring form and Ward putting in a man of the match performance against Birmingham by setting up two goals on his more favoured left side, it will be difficult to alter the starting eleven.

Johnny Russell also did very well when he came of during the last fixture, as competition for places hots up at the front of the field and also the midfield as Hendrick and new boy Thorne will be pushing to get minutes on the pitch.

For QPR, Matt Phillips is ruled out with an ankle injury while Hoilett looks likely to take his place. Dunne will marshall the defence, Barton will try and dictate the pace in midfield and deadline day signings Kevin Doyle and Maiga (on loan form West Ham), will keep Keogh and Buxton on their toes.

In their last outing, QPR drew 3-3 with Burnley. This is unusual as they rarely concede goals, having kept the most clean sheets of any Championship team this season. On top of this, Rangers has conceded the fewest amount of goals and are unbeaten in their last six games having won four.

I believe this will be an entertaining game, with a good atmosphere and chances at both ends. Derby will do well not to concede, but will surely be keen to make up for their defensive lapses against Birmingham.

This is a difficult one to call. I am going to go for a score draw with Bamford again getting on the scoresheet.

Remember your scarf!

Current Form — Last 5 League Matches:

Derby (4th): L, L, W, D, W

QPR (3rd): W, W, W, W, D

The Stats That Matter:

Up until a a couple of months ago, the Rams were proven quick starters this season with 24 of their goal tally coming in the first 45 minutes of matches. In their last 7 competitive outings they have failed to score in the first half, something Macca needs to fix soon.

Steve McClaren has collected a whopping 40 points of a possible 54 points since arriving at the Rams.

The Rams have the highest goals ‘for’ in the Championship with 57 while QPR has let in the least goals with only 20 nestling in their net so far, a stat being all the more impressive because it includes an impressive 14 clean sheets.

Derby has not beaten QPR since 2008 when they beat Rangers 2-0 at Loftus Road but for the Rams last home win you have to go back to 1990, when they triumphed 2-0 in the old Division One (see video below!).

Derby is unbeaten in 4 league games including two draws, while QPR are unbeaten in 6 games including 2 draws.