Arsenal vs. QPR: Match preview

A quick turnaround this week, because of Monday's FA Cup quarterfinal, sees Arsenal get on their bus and head out the Westway towards White City and Loftus Road, home of Premier League strugglers QPR.

Rangers are currently 17th, outside the relegation places only on "superior" goal difference (their -18 is better than Burnley's -20, but that's like saying the flu is better than pneumonia), and have only won twice since December 20th. Their goals/game in those 10 games is a very precise one, which is a big part of why they're struggling so much right now. New manager Chris Ramsey (no relation) will hope to turn QPR's fortunes around quickly, while we at TSF hope that those fortunes wait to turn until the weekend, thanks very much.

They are, however, coming off a nice break in Dubai thanks to Spurs' involvement in the Capitol One Cup final last weekend, so at the very least they'll be rested. And tan. Sandro will be in line for his first start since November, having fully recovered from a knee injury, which is fortuitous since Joey Barton is suspended for this match. Nedum Onuoha and Mauricio Isla face late fitness tests on, respectively, hamstring and knee issues that may keep them out.

Arsenal are currently on a three game league winning streak, and have earned more points in the league since January than every team bar Liverpool.  Aaron Ramsey should be available, and Francis Coquelin may play with a mask on to protect his face. I hope I am not alone in wishing it'd be a Gerry Cheevers-style mask. Other than that, there were no fresh injuries from Sunday.

Things are starting to get busy again in Arsenal-land; Arsenal did what they needed to do during the slow part of the season and banked a bunch of points with no other competitions going on, so now they can push forward knowing that no matter what happens in the cups they're in good position to lock down another Champions League spot next season. Three more points tomorrow would be a great way to kick off spring.