DRFC - Preview ahead of QPR V Doncaster game

Doncaster will make the journey to big spending Queens Park Rangers this weekend for the first time in over forty years.

Queens Park Rangers are one of the bookies favourites for promotion this season after a very active summer in the transfer market. The club were bought by multi billionaire Flavio Briatore last season and he`s not been shy in offering cash to the Rangers manager in trying to get them back into the Premiership.
This also brings added pressure and there are reports that manager Ian Dowie has already had one fall out with the new owner.

After an opening day 2-1 victory at Loftus Road against Barnsley they were soundly beaten 3-0 at Sheffield United last Saturday.

Rovers on the other hand are starting life back in the Championship for the first time in fifty years, after an impressive opening day win at Derby they was only denied maximum points from their first two games when Cardiff equalised in the last few minutes last Saturday.

Team news
Rangers are hoping to have back striker Patrick Agyemang and midfielder Hogan Ephraim whilst last seasons player of the year Martin Rowlands should return after serving his three match suspension.

Rovers captain Brian Stock returned early from the Wales squad in midweek after the reoccurrence of a niggling back injury but are hoping he will be fit to play after intensive treatment. Jason Price and Darren Byfield returned to training this week but are probably not quite ready for a return to first team action.

Man to watch
QPR
Martin Rowland`s was their inspirational midfielder last season and chipped in with quite a few goals. He will be eager to play well after being suspended.

Doncaster
Lewis Guy has started the season in good fashion with goals in the opening two games and will be hoping he can carry it on.

History between the two clubs
The clubs have only ever met six times in the league the last one being in Rangers third division championship season of 1966/67, a season when they also became the first third division side to win the League cup.
When they met at Loftus Road that season Rangers ran out comprehensive 6-0 winners.
Doncaster won on their first ever visit in the 51/52 season winning 2-0 that day.
Overall record
1951/52 Doncaster 4-0 QPR
1951/52 QPR 0-2 Doncaster
1958/59 Doncaster 2-0 QPR
1958/59 QPR 3-1 Doncaster
1966/67 Doncaster 1-1 QPR
1966/67 QPR 6-0 Doncaster

The clubs have also met once in cup competition when Doncaster claimed a famous FA Cup win in the 84/85 season winning 1-0 at Belle Vue.

Prediction
Rangers will want to bounce back after last week`s heavy defeat, while Rovers are still riding high after last season`s play off success and have started this season well.
I expect Rovers to continue their decent start to the season and come away from Loftus Road with a point in a 1-1 draw



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