Welcoming Mancini's men to London will be old boys Joey Barton and Shaun Wright Phillips who will look to show City they still have what it takes. Other notable players to have played for both teams were of course David Seaman, Trevor Sinclair and Rodney Marsh. This trio went in the other direction than the duo on the field Saturday by playing for QPR first before eventually finding their way up north.
HISTORY
Despite City being formed in 1880 and QPR being formed two years later it wouldn't be until the 1950's when these two would meet in a league clash. September 2nd 1950 at Loftus Road was the third game in the campaign that would see City promoted back to the top flight. 2-1 to City was the result in Les McDowalls first season with the blues giving the new boss three wins and a draw in his first four games. The return fixture on April 4th saw City decimate a struggling QPR side 5-2. Despite McDowall going on to manage City for 12 seasons that would be the only time he would have to face them in the League or Cup competitions.
City haven't had it all their own way though with the sides meeting 40 times in the league City have won 14 and lost 12 and only scored one goal more than Rangers. That is not all that good but when you break them down to away games only then it makes for even worse reading. In 20 games City have lost almost half and picked up just three wins.
Despite this QPR have had the better of these fixtures over recent history with City's last win coming on February 3rd 1996. In fact in the last 30 years we have met City have only managed 29 points out of a possible 66. In that time City have won games 3-0 and 3-1 but also lost 3 and 4-0. Twelve years ago City played QPR at Loftus Road in a game held on November 6th. On that day the points were shared with Kevin Horlock being our scorer and we ended up grabbing automatic promotion.
QPR, despite their history have only had the solitary Cup win having won the League Cup in the 1966/67 season. City fans will know this season as Joe Mercers first season with City in the top flight and of course all that followed. Although they haven't won the League title, QPR have come close. The season of 1975/76 saw the Hoops finish second, by a single point, behind Liverpool. As if not to be outdone, Manchester City won the League Cup by beating Newcastle 2-1.
CURRENT TEAMS
I actually really like Neil Warnock and his honest aftermatch opinions. After the last game in which his side were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham he admitted he applauded their third goal. He is also very good at getting teams promoted having taken seven different teams up from various divisions to the next throughout his managerial career. His downfall in the past has been keeping them there once they have been promoted. This time, with financial backing, he has his best opportunity to change that run. If Carlos Tevez was to play, or on the bench it would be interesting to see how Warnock reacts to him, with his goal while in West Ham colours relegating Warnocks Sheffield United side. Extra painful not only because Warnock is a huge Sheffield United fan but also because it was deemed there were irregularities with the Tevez transfer.
So far QPR find themselves in twelfth spot with three wins and three draws from the opening games. Considering they have already played Chelsea, Villa, Newcastle, Everton and Spurs it is not a bad return.
In the other dugout will be Roberto Mancini. City are five points clear of second place United in the Premier League and are undefeated. Free scoring City have beaten Tottenham, Everton, Villa and of course United in their assault of the Premier League. Mancini will probably look to rotate his squad after the midweek Champions League tie but will still be looking for a win as yet another International break comes up.
Score: 3-1 City
Written By: PA Cityboy (www.facebook.com/pacityboy)
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