Preview: QPR look to end 23-year wait against Blackburn

rp_nedumonuoha.jpg
Nedum Onuoha scored against Blackburn the last time the two sides met at Loftus Road

QPR moved up to fifth with victory at Wigan last time out and now face bottom-of-the-table Blackburn, who have just one point this season. Can Rangers end a 23-year wait for a home win over Rovers and heap more misery on their manager Owen Coyle?

Kick-off: 3pm, Saturday 10 September 2016
Referee: Keith Stroud (Gillingham, Dorset)
Key battles: Including Steven Caulker v Danny Graham
BetVictor.com preview: Promotion dark horses QPR should see off Blackburn
Vital statistic: Rangers have not beaten Blackburn in 10 matches – their last success was at Ewood Park in October 1999, and you have to go back to November 1993 for a QPR win at Loftus Road against Rovers.

Injuries and suspensions
QPR
Ruled out: Joel Lynch (abdominal strain), Jamie Mackie (ankle), Jack Robinson (knee), Ben Gladwin (ankle), Pawel Wszolek (suspended).

BLACKBURN
Ruled out: Adam Henley (hamstring), Elliott Bennett (hamstring), Elliott Ward (ankle).

Possible starting line-ups

QPR: Smithies; Onuoha, Caulker, Hall, Bidwell; Henry, Loungo; Cousins, Chery, Ngbakoto; Polter.
Wigan: Steele; Lowe, Hoban, Greer, Williams; Marshall, Akpan, Samuelson, Conway; Gallagher, Graham.

 Facts and figures
FORM GUIDE (last five league matches)
QPR:
W L L W W (9 points) • Home: L W W D W (10 points)
Blackburn: L D L L L (1 point) • Away: L L W D D (5 points)

TOP SCORERS (league only)
QPR – 3: 
Chery; 2: Onuoha, Polter; 1: Caulker.
Blackburn – 1: 
Conway, Gallagher, Graham, Stokes.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS
12 Jan 2016: Blackburn 1 QPR 1
16 Sep 2015: QPR 2 Blackburn 2
8 Apr 2014: Blackburn 2 QPR 0
7 Dec 2013: QPR 0 Blackburn 0
11 Feb 2012: Blackburn 3 QPR 2
QPR 0 wins, 2 Blackburn wins, 3 draws