On a cold and dreary Saturday in London, just three little points can make a world of difference. For Manchester United, three points can take them back to third place after last weekend’s embarrassing slip against Southampton. For the host Queens Park Rangers, three points could pull them out of the relegation zone and give them a measure of safety again after failing to win four straight matches.
Queens Park Rangers vs. Manchester United live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch the EPL online
QPR have a chance to climb out of the relegation zone if they can delivery another blow to already-reeling Manchester United.
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For two teams on opposite ends of the Premier League table, this is a match with fairly large implications for both. QPR is rapidly approaching the stage of the season where they need every point they can scrape together to try to stave off relegation, and the race for the top four is starting to grow tight enough that Manchester too need every point they can get. It’s not often you run across a top-versus-bottom match that’s so compelling or could have long-reaching implications on the season, but... well, here we are.
Key player - Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)
Di Maria hasn’t always been healthy this season, and hasn’t always been effective thanks to a seemingly constant change in roles, but when he’s on... whoa. Di Maria’s pace and skill on the ball has changed games for Manchester United at times this season. He had a really rough time for most of the match against Southampton last weekend, but if he gets in gear today against QPR, they lack a defender or midfielder who has any real ability to control him. Should he break loose, United might be unstoppable.
Key Matchup - Leroy Fer (QPR) vs. Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United)
Fer ostensibly plays out wide most of the time for QPR, but he spends enough time drifting inside and dictating things for the Hoops that he’s essentially a central midfielder. And as a midfield workhorse, he’ll be spending a lot of time tangling with Fellaini, his opposite number in Manchester United’s midfield. The duel of Dutch international versus Belgium international should be a fascinating one, and whichever of them gets the better of the other will give his side a big advantage in this match.
Queens Park Rangers injuries and suspensions
Out: Armand Traore (ankle), Suk-Young Yun (ankle), Sandro (knee), Alejandro Faurlin (knee) In doubt: Niko Krancjar (muscle strain), Rio Ferdinand (groin)
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Ashley Young (hamstring), Tom Thorpe (ankle) In doubt: Robin Van Persie (ankle), Rafael (facial fracture)
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 3:00 p.m. local, 10:00 a.m. ET
Venue: Loftus Road, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), Mun2 (U.S. - Spanish)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. - English), Deportes Telemundo en vivo (U.S. - Spanish)
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