Season › 2012-13 › News Everton vs Queens Park Rangers Lyndon Lloyd , 12 April, 52comments | Jump to most recent Match Preview Everton's quest for Europe shifts back to Goodison Park and the visit of a Queens Park Rangers side staring relegation back to the nPower Championship square in the face. Despite the lavish sums of money that owner Tony Fernandes has splashed out on the West London side in an effort to stave off the danger of the drop this season, Rangers are seven points adrift of safety with just six games to play. And, having won just twice away from Loftus Road all season, a trip to Merseyside to face an Everton team chasing an unlikely — but still possible — Champions League dream is one of the last fixtures Harry Redknapp would want as he tries to pull off what would be a spectacular Houdini act. With neither Chelsea nor Tottenham in Premier League action this weekend — they were due to play each other but Chelsea have FA Cup semi-final commitments against Manchester City — the Blues have the chance to pull within three points of those two clubs from the Capital with a win this weekend and they will also be hoping that Arsenal slip up against Norwich before the trip to The Emirates on Tuesday. Article continues below video content Moyes will have his options expanded by the return from suspension of Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar and they will likely step straight back into the starting line-up, probably at the expense of Ross Barkley and John Heitinga, both of whom started the 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane last Sunday. The manager had deployed a three-man defence in the last home game against Stoke City but the importance of accommodating his two returnees will likely trump any desire to experiment further with that new formation. While that top-four finish remains a possibility — with two straight wins, Everton could be ahead of Arsenal and level on points with Chelsea and Spurs before the latter two teams play another Premier League game — victory in this home clash with the team currently second bottom in the division is imperative. Unbeaten in four League games now, the Blues should have more than enough for QPR, particularly if Kevin Mirallas can maintain his current form, and there would be no excuse if they didn't collect all three points. Moyes's men have had trouble killing off sides like this when they have needed to, though, this season so there will be little scope for taking the foot off the accelerator. Nothing but a win will do. Referee: Lee Mason Kick off: Saturday, 3pm » Read more Reader Comments (52) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Brian Harrison 1 Posted 12/04/2013 at 15:08:48 Hopefully we can pick up 3 points but I am sure Harry will have his team fired up and nothing but a win will help them avoid the drop. I think Remy looks a decent striker pace and as he showed last week a good finisher, so we can't take anything for granted. With both Pienaar and Fellaini likely to start we will have our best 11 on the pitch, need to start in a high tempo which suits our game. I always worry when we start games a bit lethargic as we never seem to get back to playing a high tempo game, so for me the first 10 minutes is important not so much in needing to score just to set out the tempo in which we will start the game. I would imagine Jelavic will be back on the bench so let's hope Anichebe keeps up his form of late although I can't see him winning a physical battle with Samba but his pace against Samba should pay dividends. Chris Keightley 2 Posted 12/04/2013 at 15:19:48 I'm not expecting anything more than a very nervy 1-0 win - these games always prove to be awkward !! Phil Sammon 3 Posted 12/04/2013 at 15:38:54 It would never happen, but I'd be interested to see Pienaar back on the left, Barkley on the right and Fellaini supporting Mirallas up front. Possibly a shit idea...I'd just like to see a striker who can score a goal. Steavey Buckley 4 Posted 12/04/2013 at 15:38:00 QPR will be feeling down in more ways than one after the match with Wigan when they dropped 2 priceless points against a team in similar circumstances in extra time. They also lost Bobby Zamora to suspension because of a reckless and dangerous tackle. And will miss him in tomorrow's match But one player that Everton will have to keep an eye on tomorrow is Remy. If Everton could have bought him in the transfer window of last, Everton would be assured of a champions league place. He has scored 5 goals in the last 7 games in a team that looks destined to be relegated. But, I still expect Everton to win tomorrow by at least 2 goals. Here's hoping. Terry Maher 5 Posted 12/04/2013 at 15:48:42 It's going to be a hard game but with a full team we should win easy. 3-1; Mirallas with the first goal... Come on, Blues! Steve Guy 6 Posted 12/04/2013 at 15:53:21 Get the first and we'll get 5 Sam Hoare 7 Posted 12/04/2013 at 15:58:18 Sadly I can feel a frustrating home draw against a side scrapping for their lives.Team wise I imagine he will revert to the team vs Man City which seems our best XI at the moment. James Morgan 8 Posted 12/04/2013 at 15:58:04 Steve Guy, no. If we get the first we will sit back until we concede an inevitable equaliser in the last minute. James Flynn 9 Posted 12/04/2013 at 16:00:38 Well, QPR's 7 points off Wigan and Sunderland. They absolutely need 3 points to have any chance of staying up. Maybe they'll come out attacking. John Malone 10 Posted 12/04/2013 at 16:12:37 The fact that our players are aware that QPR are going to be well up for this might help us in the fact that we seem to 'turn up' to big games and have struggled with games we are expected to win. You know Harry will play open attacking football so there wil be space to make chances we've just got to take them, the earlier the better.Pointless playing Fellaini up top unless he drops off Samba and Hill, I reckon the games going to be won in the middle of the pitch, let felli dominate there and feed the front men. Anichebe has been doing a good job of holding the ball up and bringing people into play, needless to say we must win. Ross Edwards 11 Posted 12/04/2013 at 16:45:37 We'll go 1 up and Moyes will fill his pants as usual. Harry will go for it and if Moyes bottles it we could lose, like we did v Reading, Norwich etc. James Martin 12 Posted 12/04/2013 at 16:49:47 Ross Moyes' record against Redknapp is W9 D5 L4. He's beaten him more times than any other manager Moyes has faced, when you consider Redknapps had some handy sides in a souped up Portsmouth and Spurs it would suggest that MOyes doesn't, in fact, 'fill his pants as usual'. It also suggests that whether Harry 'goes for it' or not doesn't make any bit of difference. You're right we could lose but we've only lost one game at home all seaosn and that was to Chelsea which we deserved better from so smart money would go on us not losing. Stuart O'Malley 13 Posted 12/04/2013 at 16:57:15 I think we tend to struggle against so called inferior teams at home due to the fact they park the bus when they come to Goodison, and hope to nick a goal. QPR wont have that option come Saturday, as they are going to have to take some risks and open up a bit in the search for a win. I believe that will give us the opportunity to play our own game, but how we start, as mentioned above, will be all important. If the team goes out with confidence, which they should have after the last 4 games, and the proper desire we should be able to beat them comfortably. Kieran Fitzgerald 14 Posted 12/04/2013 at 17:05:21 It's just one of those games that makes you very nervous as a fan. At home to a team that is tipped to be already relegated, in a game we badly need to win. On paper, we should win but it's usually this type of game that we end up making a mess of and being embarrassed.I would agree with John Malone in terms of how we set up. We need to keep them pegged back and frustrate their opportunities to attack. This is a game that they also need to win and they will come out all guns blazing. Having Victor up front is ideal for this game. Norman Merrill 15 Posted 12/04/2013 at 16:38:59 Once I saw the name Lee Mason! I lost my appetite for a free flowing game of Football, absolute W-------. Steve Edwards 16 Posted 12/04/2013 at 17:34:23 QPR have the Indian sign on us, got a feeling that we may come unstuck here. Everyone expecting us to win and they are as good as down, just the recipe for disaster. Fingers crossed with this one. Guy Hastings 18 Posted 12/04/2013 at 18:05:40 Norman 153 - same horrible feeling. I'd tipped us for a 4-1 in my office football league, then I saw Mason reffing. Nervy 1-1 it is then with Fellaini carded within 10 mins. Jamie Barlow 19 Posted 12/04/2013 at 18:09:30 We'll batter these tomorrow. As Stuart says above, they've got no choice but to come out for a win so we won't see the usual sitting back like the lower placed teams like to do at Goodison.I'm looking forward to it. Ross Kerry 20 Posted 12/04/2013 at 18:16:52 This is 3 points in the bag, what can possibly go wrong? Andy Meighan 21 Posted 12/04/2013 at 18:33:02 Yeah Ross. Like Harry has gone for it since November when he took the job. There no better off now than they were then. In fact their worst off.cut adrift with only 7 games to go and why the fuck would Moyes fill his pants against a poor side like these the only danger man they've got is Remy. Who coincidentally would be ideal for us. Cut off his supply and we ll absolutely wallop these I think even swivel eye himself knows their doomed so I'm expecting him to go for it. Leave lads of nice gaps at the back for us to exploit. And I think we could be looking at our biggest win of the season they can't defend to save their lives so the optimist in me is going for a 5-1 win and believe me when I tell you that I'm the most pessimistic person I know that's how confident I am. Kevin Elliott 22 Posted 12/04/2013 at 19:33:52 All this optimism makes me nervous.I realy reallly hope i'm wrong, but I reckn it will be a draw, or "god forbid" we will lose.Story of the season . Andy Crooks 23 Posted 12/04/2013 at 20:05:02 I think Wigan's late goal finished QPR and the players know it. Tomorrow should see them finished and I'll be disappointed if we don't beat them well, When the pressure is off ,QPR will be worth backing at a price. Not tomorrow, I hope it will be the low point of their season. James Flynn 25 Posted 12/04/2013 at 19:56:46 All I want is the 3 points, but will be peculiar we don't thrash this bunch. Isn't is strange, Rednapp has managed teams down to the Championship, but QPR hired him anyway? Mark Frere 26 Posted 12/04/2013 at 20:13:42 A must win for both sides, if we lose, our already slim hopes of top 4 are over. With no injuries or suspensions at least we can field our strongest team. I think the team pretty much picks its self:HowardColeman Jags Disitin BainesMirallas Osman Gibson PienaarFellianiAnechebe Ross Kerry 27 Posted 12/04/2013 at 20:30:54 They're all must win aren't they? Mark Frere 28 Posted 12/04/2013 at 20:47:42 I don't think even the biggest optimist would expect us to win every game, but we need to win all our games against the so called lesser teams and pick up at least 5 points against Chelsea, Arsenal and the Red shite, even then we are not nailed on for 4th spot Gary Mortimer 29 Posted 12/04/2013 at 20:57:03 Lee Mason???For some reason that chap HATES us!I predict a penalty for them and a sending off.Paranoid? You bet! Paul Andrews 30 Posted 12/04/2013 at 22:01:51 Ross Kerry,166-:) Jamie Crowley 31 Posted 12/04/2013 at 22:21:09 I found no coverage in America. Are we relegated to dodgy internet feeds? Anyone know?I think QPR's defeat last week was devastating to them. If we get on them early I think they'll be consigned to their eventual fate. Tony Twist 32 Posted 12/04/2013 at 22:54:51 Knowing my mate Moyesie, he will have the troops well and truly drilled and ready for anything, so I expect a couple of early goals, from QPR, and then plenty of time for him to dust off his "one of those days" speech. I hope I am wrong. James Flynn 33 Posted 12/04/2013 at 23:51:14 So how come Rednapp gets chance after chance? Gary Poole 34 Posted 13/04/2013 at 00:11:51 Tomorrow's game is horrible - a massive banana skin. A streaky 1-0 will do me and I don't care how we play as long as we get 3 points. it's that time of the season.We have to do the business tomorrow and then work up to arsenal on Tuesday.COYB!!! Peter Cummings 35 Posted 13/04/2013 at 00:14:30 I reckon QPR will try to shut up shop and play for a point even though it won't be good enough to stop their relegation. If we score first, they will have to open up so we should punish them with an early goal and then finish the job. Ernie Baywood 36 Posted 13/04/2013 at 00:23:36 Fella's good in that Cahill role, but I don't think him being there does much for the striker. Vic/Jelavic end up leading the line ahead of a deep lying target man - which makes little sense.With our lack of options we probably don't have much of a choice. Ernie Baywood 37 Posted 13/04/2013 at 01:04:33 Interesting article from Lawrenson today.Apparently the fact that QPR have something to play for is a good thing. Sometimes, apparently, players can switch off when the opposition has nothing to play for, like when Wigan came to Goodison.He gets paid to write this stuff! Ross Kerry 38 Posted 13/04/2013 at 01:12:28 Lawrenson can't even be be bothered to pretend he cares and we pay toi watch him do it! Match of the Day is embarrassing to watch, Tim Jones 39 Posted 13/04/2013 at 03:22:44 Once, just once, this season I would like to watch an Everton game and not be worried about us surviving or giving away yet ANOTHER pathetic draw or hanging on for a win against inferior opposition. But hey thats all you get when you have a timid, safety first, all track back Manager like we have. Jay Harris 40 Posted 13/04/2013 at 05:07:35 JamieIt is on ESPN at 12pm ET.Like Norman Lee Mason makes me nervous. We never seem to do well when he is in charge.Very difficult game to predict. They look good but make atrocious mistakes at the back so it should be a comfortable 2 or 3 to us with our usual lack of a clean sheet allowing them at least 1.However, we do have an atrocious record against them so I hope we get an early one to settle us down. Jamie Crowley 41 Posted 13/04/2013 at 06:18:40 TY Jay. Just found it but my Directv guide says it's on Fox Soccer. Ian Bennett 42 Posted 13/04/2013 at 07:27:32 I expect a fair show from Pienaar and Fellaini today. They've had a rest, now put in a performance. The team more or less picks itself. For me it's just a question of where to play Mirallas at the moment. I would give him licence to roam, and pull Fellaini back a bit rather than go toe o toe with Samba.HowardColemanBainesJagsDistinGibsonOsmanPienaarMirallasFellainiVictorCome on you blues. Ernie Baywood 43 Posted 13/04/2013 at 08:02:58 Agree with the thought of pulling Fella back a bit. Would effectively be: Gibson Osman FellainiMirrallas Pienaar Vic Ernie Baywood 44 Posted 13/04/2013 at 08:07:08 That formatting didn't quite come through but you get the idea. Derek Thomas 45 Posted 13/04/2013 at 08:25:42 Use a bit of nouse Vs Samba; Vic and Kev taking turns to be last man and taking turns to run at him; play it into the spaces behind and to the sides of him, rather being the static target and letting his 6ft 7ins lean all over you, run him ragged.Sorted. Paul Rimmer 46 Posted 13/04/2013 at 09:09:48 I would play Jelavic. He's still a better finisher than Big Vic and with QPR needing 3 points they'll have to push on leaving gaps down the flanks. My team... Howard, Coleman, distan, jags, baines, Mirallas, gibbo, osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic Kieran Fitzgerald 47 Posted 13/04/2013 at 09:11:45 If Barkley got a run out last week, I would like to see Oveido get a run this week. It's as much to do with surprising the opposition with something different at this stage of the season as it is getting to see a player. I think that QPR will be expecting to see Pienaar walk back into the side after suspension. Phil Sammon 48 Posted 13/04/2013 at 09:28:48 I've got some horrible feeling that Heitinga is going to start. I don't know who for and I don't know where he'll play...but I don't think Moyes will drop him now he's back on relative form. I sincerely hope I'm wrong. Tony McNulty 49 Posted 13/04/2013 at 09:43:29 Need to win. Apart from anything else, the Shite have Battenburg in charge which on previous form improves their chances of three points. Nick Entwistle 50 Posted 13/04/2013 at 11:07:14 ............HowardColeman Jags Distin Baines.............HeitingaMirallas Gibson Pienaar......Anichebe ................JelavicI'm at a loss for today's line up or formation. Would prefer a return to the 4231 but Moyes may go with the players who've won 10 from 12. Gavin Ramejkis 51 Posted 13/04/2013 at 11:17:35 Should have enough to win this game at a canter, lets hope it's not a case of Perry Mason mystery decisions to spoil the afternoon. Kunal Desai 52 Posted 13/04/2013 at 14:08:41 strongest XIHowardColeman Jagielka Distin BainesGibson OsmanMirallas Fellaini PienaarAnichebeQPR XI v Everton: Cesar, Bosingwa, Samba, Hill, Onouha, Townsend, Granero, Park, Jenas, Hoilett, Remy. #QPR Ernie Baywood 53 Posted 13/04/2013 at 14:01:59 Fella and Pienaar are straight back in for Ross and Johnny. Vic retains his place.Pretty much the team most predicted. Though will be interesting to see the exact setup. Kunal Desai 54 Posted 13/04/2013 at 14:09:06 Strongest side.Bench - Mucha, Jelavic, Naismith, Oviedo, Hitzlesperger, Barkley, Heitinga Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads © ToffeeWeb