The pressure is on Queen Park Rangers and head coach Harry Redknapp to make a quick return to the Premier League after last season's relegation. Considering the amount of money that's been poured into the team, along with their impressive wage bill, the fact that QPR are forced to go through the always unpredictable playoffs just adds to the pressure.
Wigan Athletic vs. Queens Park Rangers: Preview, TV schedule and how to watch online
Two teams relegated from the Premier League last season meet in the playoff semifinals, hoping to make a quick return to the top flight.
Charlie Crowhurst
It's pretty clear that if QPR live up to their potential, they could run away with the playoffs and win promotion, but if history has taught us anything, things that "should" happen in these playoff games rarely do. For QPR to succeed, Niko Kranjcar and on-loan Ravel Morrison will need to have big performances. The returns of Charlie Austin and Junior Hoilett from injury should be a boost as well.
Wigan aren’t exactly roaring into the playoffs, having lose three out of their last four matches. Considering this team’s performance over the past two seasons in knockout situations though, it would be foolish to count them out.
Wigan Atheltic injuries and suspensions
Out: Ben Watson (leg)
QPR injuries and suspensions
Out: Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee), Ali Faurlin (knee), Matt Phillips (ankle), Jermaine Jenas (knee)
Projected lineups
Wigan: Ali Al-Habsi, James Perch, Emmerson Boyce, Leon Barnett, Jean Beausejour, James McArthur, Roger Espinoza, Jordi Gómez, Shaun Maloney, Callum McManaman, Martyn Waghorn
QPR: Robert Green, Danny Simpson, Nedum Onuoha, Richard Dunne, Clint Hill, Tom Carroll, Joey Barton, Niko Kranjčar, Ravel Morrison, Yossi Benayoun, Charlie Austin
Match Date/Time: 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: The DW Stadium, Wigan, England
TV: beIN Sports USA (U.S.), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.)
Online: beIN Sports Play (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.), beIN Sports Play (Canada)
