Queens Park Rangers vs. Arsenal: Match Preview

QPR vs. Arsenal
English Premier League
Kickoff: Saturday, May 4, 12:30 PM EDT
Loftus Road, Wez London, Greater London, England, Great Britain, United Kingdom, Europe
Form: QPR LDLLD | ARS WWDWD
TV: Fox Soccer Channel

Arsenal travel to West London to face Queens Park Rangers, who are on their way down to the Championship despite having a wage bill higher than Champions League Finalists Borussia Dortmund.

Let that sink in for a bit, everyone. Higher than Dortmund. 27 points in the league.

Anyhow.

Despite the somewhat amusing lack of return on QPR's investment and the fact that Harry Redknapp couldn't stop the bleeding (either in the table or in the pocketbook), QPR are a side full of talented players. Loic Remy is capable of some sick stuff at the head of the line, Adel Taarabt is dangerous, and Julio Cesar, for all his long-short somewhat stout Brazilian-ness, is still capable of the occasional stormer in the net.

Unrelated: Armand Traore, Christopher Samba.

Arsenal should have all of their usual pieces in place, the only absentees being Olivier Giroud (suspension), Lukasz Fabianski (ribs, not eating them), and Abou Diaby (cursed by the gods and heavens above). There is no reason for Arsene Wenger to change much about the lineup he put out against Manchester United last Sunday, although Bacary Sagna's current lack of form is a bit baffling, and Carl Jenkinson could do a job tomorrow. It's likely, though, that Wenger will persist with the Frenchman at right back, as he has shown little inclination towards changing that position lately, Jenkinson putting in minutes in the reserves consistently. The only toss-up probably is at left back, where Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal are probably just playing Sorry! to determine who will start right now.

Possible lineup:

Szczesny
Sagna - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Monreal
Ramsey - Arteta
Rosicky
Walcott - Podolski - Cazorla

Match prediction: Arsenal start out brightly before the camera perched at a ludicrous angle gets stuck pointing straight down at the touchline below. Nobody knows what is happening for the rest of the match as the camera is forced to focus solely on Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger. The match ends x < 3 to 6! in favor of Arsenal, who earn the TKO on points after three mulligans and a protest. Rioting ensues.