QPR face a vitally important home match against out-of-form West Ham at Loftus Road on Saturday in their quest to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Queens Park Rangers (19th) v West Ham United (10th)

A fool and his money are easily parted — just ask Tony Fernandes — and as QPR central defender Nedum Onuoha said this week, you’d be foolish to bet on the outcome of football matches at this stage of the season.

Take Leicester City, for example, who’d been counted out as definitely down by most but have suddenly won three on the spin and will now fancy their chances of survival with fixtures against Burnley, Sunderland, Newcastle and QPR to come. Rangers themselves looked dead in the water after a seventh-straight league defeat at home to out-of-form Everton, only to suddenly reignite their survival bid with a 4-1 win at West Brom and 3-3 draw at Aston Villa. Suddenly Sunderland and Hull, freefalling, look vulnerable but would you be that surprised if you woke on Sunday to the news that they’d both won at Stoke and Palace this weekend and your washing machine had flooded the kitchen? Really?

Factors other than teams’ general incompetence and schizophrenia start to weigh heavy on outcomes at this time of the season. Teams with nothing to play for “put the cue on the rack” and “have their minds on the beach” regressing from difficult opposition to limp-wristed bottle jobs in the process — see West Ham having their tummies tickled at Man City last week for example. No hopers in the relegation zone suddenly string a couple of results together accidentally and start acting like world beaters, sweeping all before them and trying stepovers in their own penalty area. Those just above them, previously pootling along minding their own business become beset by panic and start booting the ball into the roof of their own net. Momentum is massive.

QPR fans look down the list of remaining games and pick out this Saturday’s home fixture with West Ham as a ‘must-win’. Sam Allardyce is highly likely to be replaced as their manager this summer and players have looked like a group collectively marking time since an FA Cup exit at West Brom. If you were picking home fixtures, West Ham and Newcastle would be the two you’d pick. And yet, now it’s here, you can’t help but worry about it. West Ham are a good side, you don’t get to fourth in the league, or their current position of tenth, without having a bit about you. Allardyce has routinely brushed QPR aside during the Tony Fernandes era, highlighting the advantage of having a plan and an ethos — even if that plan is to buy a load of big bastards and thump it up to Andy Carroll — versus dicking about with Ji Sung-Park. What’s to say QPR don’t lose this week, then win next weekend at Liverpool? It’s the sort of crazy nonsense that happens at this point of the season.

Rangers have their own issue with a managerial appointment bubbling away in the background. It seems ridiculous that a man who has lost all seven of his home league games since taking charge should be considered as a possibility for the job permanently — Chris Ramsey’s record is lost seven and drawn one of ten games in charge. Yet the players speak highly of him, and there are clear signs of improvement on the pitch.

LFW’s official photographer (not a salaried position) Neil Dejyothin set out a strong case for Ramsey’s permanent appointment during the week and got a lot of support for that. But there are nagging doubts. Are the things we admire Ramsey for — tactical shrewdness, good organisation, goals from set pieces, players in their correct positions, honest answers in press conferences, the occasional youth team player given a chance rather than a rushed loan deal for one of Willie McKay’s clients — not just the most basic of basics you would expect of a football manager?

Isn’t it just that QPR have spent the last two years with Harry Redknapp, occasionally sticking his head out of a portakabin at the training ground to ask Bondy Bond where he’s put the red sauce, dragging Big Fat Niko Kranjcar around with him for entirely footballing reasons, writing away matches off as “bonus games”, appearing in adverts for illegal betting operations and feeding rancid stories to his overweight, egotistical, bearded mates in the press that Ramsey seems like such a revolutionary?

I’m playing devil’s advocate, I agree with Neil.

QPR could be playing in the Championship next season with two thirds of this playing squad, and this manager, and possibly this chairman, doing other things. Or they could be in the Premier League, with Chris Ramsey in charge, and this nucleus carefully added to over the summer. We just don’t know, and it would be a brave man to bet on the outcome.

A win against West Ham on Saturday carries the questions over to another week. A defeat and we’ll have more certainty. Draw it is then.

Links >>> Searching for greener grass — opposition focus >>> In support of Big Sam — interview >>> Pizanti's rocket — history >>> Jones in charge — referee >>> How to BBQ with Ale Faurlin — podcast >>> Tales from Harry Kane's birthday party — presser >>> Betting

Matthew Rose celebrates a rare goal in a 1-0 victory against West Ham on this ground back in 2004. The victory formed part of a seven match winning run that briefly lifted the newly-promoted R's to fourth in the Championship table.

Saturday

A day of the week with a Y in it means Andy Carroll is injured and unavailable for selection. Sadly for West Ham, the excellent Diafra Sakho is as well leaving them light in attack — Carlton Cole was picked on his own at Man City last week as Sam Allardyce continues to ignore Nene and Morgan Amalfitano. Defenders James Tomkins and Guy Demel are also out.

Elsewhere: A weekend of Premier League action begins with Southampton and Spurs — originally billed as a clash between two outside bets for that oh-so-crucial fourth place , it's now little more than a chance for seventy close ups of Morgan Schniederlin in 90 minutes while Ian Darke wonders which colours the Frenchman will be wearing when this fixture is played next season.

Obviously QPR eyes will be fixed firmly on Burnley v Leicester — good news, they can't both win; bad news, they can't both lose. Tigers Tigers Rah Rah Rah go to Crystal Palace needing a win to keep their head above water, and Sunderland take their secondary school outreach programme to Meticulous Mark and the Taffia looking to do likewise. Fail to win, and QPR move above both with a victory. Hull subsequently have a game in hand on Tuesday against the Collective Men of Liverpool, and Leicester do likewise on Wednesday against Big Racist John and the Referee Baiters.

That lot from down the road play at Arsenal in a "game that matters" on Sunday and if they win both they'll be champions, so get the curtains drawn early and put a decent film on that night if it comes to pass.

The nail-biting, edge-of-you-seat, flatulence-inducing, hold-onto-a-loved-one-if-it-all-becomes-too-much-to-bear, battle for the Champions League spots also includes The Collective Men of Liverpool going to West Brom on Saturday and Manchester City hosting Jack Grealish the lucky devils. Everton v Louis Van Gaal on Sunday too. Goodness.

Says here that Newcastle are playing Swansea too. Best of luck with that.

Referee: Mike Jones returns for his third QPR appointment of the season following earlier controversial outings at Chelsea and at home to Crystal Palace. A poor referee, refereeing poorly, who never has carried himself with much assuredness, doesn't seem a shrewd appointment for this game, which will certainly be a physical encounter. Described by this site earlier this season as carrying less authority than a gimp in a Soho fetish club, you can read his extensive QPR case file by clicking here.

Form

West Ham: West Ham won nine of their first 17 in the league this season to climb to fourth at Christmas, but have been in relegation form since. The 2-0 success at West Brom in early December was their last away win — five defeats and four draws from nine games since. They've won only one of their last dozen games, losing seven and have scored more than a single goal in a game only once in 13 outings in all competitions. The Hammers have lost only one of their last six meetings with QPR, but have only won once in their last nine visits to W12. Since beating QPR 2-0 in the first meeting this season, West Ham have lost five and drawn one of their six London derbies. At the risk of horribly tempting fate — West Ham are the only side in the Premier League that hasn't scored a penalty in the league this year. These sides have lost more points to goals scored in the last minute of the game than any other.

Betting: Professional odds compiler Owen Goulding tells us…

"Tough one to price this - two teams with more dismal recent records than Justin Bieber.

"QPR have lost their last six home games in the Premier League, West Ham have only taken three points out of their last possible 18 away from home - a poor return for a side that at the turn of the year was challenging for European football.

"Sam Allardyce is likely to go at end of season and they played like they were on the beach already last week at Man City. QPR have put in some decent recent performances despite results, so it should all point to a QPR victory. However, we all know it won't be that simple -it never is where Rangers are concerned.

"Despite an excellent defensive performance in the main v Chelsea, the left midfield position in a probable 4-4-2 is still a big concern. It is likely Chris Ramsey will initially stick to the same side that started that game although Richard Dunne and Leroy Fer may have a part to play.

"I won't go into specifics, but I can assure you that statistically, the 'on the beach' factor that many supporters feel is a big factor in games such as this is not as prevalent as QPR would hope. I actually fancy QPR here a bit as coaching on the training ground is obviously starting to have its effect on the playing field, (albeit maybe a little too late) but at current prices of 7/5 its not quite enough to get my wallet prised open.

"As a compiler, I have to look for a price that is a fair way above what it should be, and that price in this weeks game Is Cheikhou Kouyate to score at anytime for West Ham. Only the injured Diafra Sakho and inconsistent Enner Valencia have had more shots per game and Kouyate will look to add to his recent goals tally- two in the last foru away from home - against a nervous Rangers defence. Hopefully it won't be enough to stop QPR claiming a much needed three points but at a whopping price of 14/1 to net at anytime, Kouyate cant be ignored."

Recommended Bet: Kouyate to score anytime @ 14/1 (888sport/Unibet/32red)

Prediction: Reigning Prediction League champion WestonSuperR tells us…

"I'm a big believer in only labelling games "must win" if they are indeed must win, with a title or relegation depending on the result. So this isn't a "must win" but it really isn't far off. Fail and surely that is that, although I am pretty sure I said that before the Everton match.

"I don't believe the theory that West Ham will already be "on the beach" and am convinced they will give us a game but I was impressed with our efforts against Chelsea and think if we can show the same spirit we can overcome a team that has nothing to play for and win a nervy scrappy game by the odd goal.

"The match reminds me a lot of Stoke at home three seasons ago, we managed a win then so let's hope and pray we can repeat. I'm certainly predicting a repeat of three points but fancy both teams to score."

John's Prediction: QPR 2-1 West Ham. Scorer — Charlie Austin

LFW's Prediction: QPR 1-1 West Ham. Scorer — Charlie Austin

The Twitter @loftforwords

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londonscottish added 20:50 - Apr 24 "West Ham are the only side in the Premier League that hasn't scored a penalty in the league this year". Right. Thanks. That's that sorted then.....
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TacticalR added 23:38 - Apr 24 Thanks for your preview. I am not sure what West Ham we will see. As you point out, Allardyce's 'big bastards' strategy has generally worked wonders against QPR - Granero decided he'd had enough the moment he saw such monsters. This season Allardyce was ordered to play football, which was all well and good, but now that plan seems to have come unstuck. The annoying thing is that as soon as we all agree that a team is no good and has nothing to play for, they have a revival against us.

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snanker added 01:22 - Apr 25 Yes LS bet of the weekend that one and what price I wonder after 80 minutes to really cash in ?
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pedrosqpr added 07:56 - Apr 25 Basically 2 teams who will lump it up the middle.blood and thunder yes Chris Ramsey . I agree fully give Chris Ramsey the job now, I have a feeling with right players Chris can play football teams in all kinds of formations. Tony if you are reading give this man the job.
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extratimeR added 11:22 - Apr 25 Just checking washing machine, plan is to drink more than Chelsea game, and cross fingers. Thanks Clive!
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