Premier League: Harry Redknapp makes bow as QPR boss at Sunderland
Last Updated: November 27, 2012 9:44am
Harry Redknapp: Charged with the task of guiding Queens Park Rangers to Premier League survival
Sunderland will provide the opposition for Harry Redknapp's first game in charge of struggling Queens Park Rangers.
The Black Cats will be hoping that the hype surrounding Redknapp's return to Premier League management plays into their hands, as they are also in need of a points pick-me-up.
Sunderland suffered a 4-2 defeat to high-flying West Brom in front of their own supporters on Saturday, with post-match speculation suggesting that Martin O'Neill had quit his managerial post.
The Ulsterman remains very much in charge at the Stadium of Light, but he will be aware of the need to avoid back-to-back defeats on home soil and start pulling clear of trouble - with just two points separating the Wearside outfit from the relegation zone.
Much of the midweek focus will, however, be on the away dugout, with Redknapp hoping to oversee another Harry Houdini mission at Loftus Road.
QPR remain rooted to the foot of the top-flight table, having suffered nine defeats in 13 fixtures, and are the only side yet to collect a victory this season.
The bridge to safety currently stretches to seven points and Redknapp knows he cannot afford to see that gap widen if he is to justify the faith of his board and secure survival.
Sunderland
Injuries to Lee Cattermole and John O'Shea compounded Sunderland's misery during their weekend loss to West Brom, with both men facing up to 'weeks' on the sidelines.
Cattermole aggravated a knee complaint and limped out of the action midway through the first half, while O'Shea suffered a calf strain and did not reappear after the interval.
O'Neill faces something of a selection dilemma when it comes to finding cover for O'Shea, with fellow centre-halves Wes Brown and Titus Bramble already sidelined.
QPR
Redknapp should be able to call on club captain Park Ji-sung, with QPR in need of inspiration from an on-field leader.
Park failed to recover from a knee problem in time for Saturday's defeat at former club Manchester United, but is expected to be in contention for a trip to the North East.
Jose Bosingwa is thought to have recovered from the virus that ruled him out at the weekend, but strikers Bobby Zamora (hip) and Andrew Johnson (knee) are long-term concerns.
Opta stats
- Sunderland have won seven and lost none of the last 10 matches in all competitions against QPR.
- QPR's total of four points from 13 games is the worst ever start in Premier League history.
- Sunderland are the only team to record zero corners in more than one Premier League game this season (have done so twice).
Previous game's starting line-ups
4-4-2
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22
Mignolet
-
7
Larsson
-
16
O'Shea
-
24
Cuellar
-
14
Colback
-
21
Johnson A
-
15
Vaughan
-
4
N'Diaye
-
23
McClean
-
10
Wickham
-
9
Graham
Team taken from Sunderland vs Tottenham (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
4-3-3
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1
Green
-
27
Harriman
-
15
Onuoha
-
6
Hill
-
3
Traore
-
7
Park
-
4
Derry
-
40
Mbia
-
18
Remy
-
25
Zamora
-
29
Townsend
Team taken from QPR vs Liverpool (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
Latest Poll
Matches
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Barclays Premier League
Table
Barclays Premier League
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 38 | 89 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 38 | 78 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 38 | 75 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 38 | 73 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 72 |
| 6 | Everton | 38 | 63 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 38 | 61 |
| 8 | West Bromwich Albion | 38 | 49 |
| 9 | Swansea City | 38 | 46 |
| 10 | West Ham United | 38 | 46 |
| 11 | Norwich City | 38 | 44 |
| 12 | Fulham | 38 | 43 |
| 13 | Stoke City | 38 | 42 |
| 14 | Southampton | 38 | 41 |
| 15 | Aston Villa | 38 | 41 |
| 16 | Newcastle United | 38 | 41 |
| 17 | Sunderland | 38 | 39 |
| 18 | Wigan Athletic | 38 | 36 |
| 19 | Reading | 38 | 28 |
| 20 | Queens Park Rangers | 38 | 25 |
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- O'Neill hails marksman McClean
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- Vaughan reveals O'Neill rage
