Swansea City v QPR – Match Preview

Swansea go into their Boxing Day fixture against QPR knowing a win could see them end their fairy-tale 2011 in the Premier League top half.

Brendan Rodgers must still be pinching himself at night after taking The Swans into the top-flight in his first season in charge. Their debut campaign in England’s top division has seen them confound the critics as they sit four points above the relegation zone and just outside the top half of the table. Rodgers has implemented a slick passing philosophy at the Liberty Stadium that has seen them break away from the normal back to wall approach normally adopted by newly promoted teams. Their home form has been a particular highlight with their only defeat on their own soil coming against Manchester United. Whilst they were predicted to struggle due to their lack of necessary top flight experience players like Ashley Williams, Danny Graham and Nathan Dyer have all made the step up into the big time. Graham, in particular, will be key to ensuring victory over QPR on Tuesday having scored five goals since his arrival from Watford in the summer. It’s been a year that has reached far beyond the supporters’ wildest dreams and they will be expecting it to end on a high.

The R’s have endured a testing time of late seeing their bright start to their first Premier League campaign in 15-years turn sour over the last few months. Neil Warnocks side have won only once in last eight games and have lost their last three in succession. Rangers were challenging for a place in the top 10 at the beginning of October but now must spend Christmas looking over their shoulder as they plummet closer to the relegation zone with just two points separating them 18^th place Wigan. Scoring goals has been their biggest Achilles heel so far with Heidar Helguson the only striker at the club who has found the net on a consistent basis. Their form on the road has been one of the major plus points of the season winning three of their eight games on the road although they’ll face a tough task beating Swansea on their own patch.

Swansea City 14^th : 18 points

Team news: Neil Taylor could return from a knee injury although Nathan Dyer will miss out with an ankle injury. 

Key Player: Michael Vorm

The keeper has been one of the signings of the season keeping seven clean sheets since his move from the Eredivisie. He was unlucky to be on the losing side at Everton but should be in for a quiet afternoon against shot shy Rangers.

QPR 16^th : 16 points

Team news: Anton Ferdinand will definitely miss out with a hamstring injury whilst Rob Hulse and Kieron Dyer look likely to miss the season.

Key Player: Heidar Helguson

The Icelandic striker has been one of the Premier League surprise packages this season scoring seven in 11 appearances. His power in the air and willingness to run his socks off for the team should see him continue as QPR’s number one striker in 2012.

PREDICTION

Swansea’s home record has been superb this season and they seem to have gotten better as the months have passes. They should have enough to see off QPR who are in dire form at the moment and looking prime candidates for a relegation battle in the New Year.

Score: 2-0