Queens Park looked to be making one of the great comebacks under the management of Harry Redknapp, but a defeat to fellow strugglers Aston Villa last weekend has done their chances of survival significant damage. Villa are now the team to catch, just outside the relegation zone and seven points above QPR with eight games remaining. A win against Fulham on Monday could close the gap, but Martin Jol's side have been finishing the season relatively strongly, with an impressive win over Tottenham last time out taking them to four games without defeat.
Safety isn't quite assured for the West London side, but with this game to play as well as fixtures against Villa and Reading, it would take quite a collapse to see them dragged into a relegation battle. Lack of a significant target might lead to a decline in form (a Europa league place will be out of reach) unless Jol is able to motivate his side, but a top half finish would be a good outcome. Mahamadou Diarra could be fit for Monday, as could Kerim Frei.
QPR's large squad and resultant hefty wage bill has already been noted by supporters and journalists concerned about their plight should they be relegated, but it does mean at least that Redknapp has some quality players to call on for this relegation battle. The only notable absentee is Samba Diakité, while Robert Green and Armand Traore should be back in contention after illness and injury respectively.
Fullham vs Queens Park Rangers
Premier League: 31. Round
Date: 01. April 2013 - 19:00 GMT
Stadium: Craven Cottage
Referee: Jonathan Moss
QPR's large squad and resultant hefty wage bill has already been noted by supporters and journalists concerned about their plight should they be relegated, but it does mean at least that Redknapp has some quality players to call on for this relegation battle. The only notable absentee is Samba Diakité, while Robert Green and Armand Traore should be back in contention after illness and injury respectively.
Fullham vs Queens Park Rangers
Premier League: 31. Round
Date: 01. April 2013 - 19:00 GMT
Stadium: Craven Cottage
Referee: Jonathan Moss