Sunderland v QPR: Five Key Battles

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Sunderland take on Queens Park Rangers tonight in a battle between two teams at the wrong end of the Premier League table.

Here are five key battles to look out for during the match.

Phil Bardsley v Djibril Cisse

Djibril Cisse is bound to start in Harry Redknapp’s first game as QPR boss because he has arguably the most pace in the entire QPR team. Phil Bardsley needs to be on top form because Cisse can drift out to the channel effectively making himself into an extra winger. If Bardsley doesn’t stay on top of this then it effectively provides a route in behind for the Frenchman.

Carlos Cuellar v Adel Taarabt

Cuellar is a central defender while Taarabt floats around in the QPR midfield. The reason this is a key battle is because Martin O’Neill may look to Cuellar to be the defender who steps out of the defence to stop Taarabt from having any influence in possession in terms of creating chances. It’s risky but if it works then Sunderland will have a much easier time managing things.

Sebastian Larsson v Alejandro Faurlin

Larsson is one of the most creative Sunderland players, he likes to play out wide but he can be effective cutting inside and looking for little passes into the strikers. Faurlin is the roamer in the QPR team, don’t be surprised if Redknapp gives him the job of racing around the pitch sticking the foot in against the best players in the Sunderland team.

Adam Johnson v Ryan Nelsen

Adam Johnson is bound to play on both wings at some point in this match. He is not a particularly good winger going down towards the corner flag and sticking crosses into the box which means he’ll look for the route back inside. Ryan Nelsen is a very experienced defender and he needs to spot these runs before they develop. This means Nelsen needs to get out of the penalty area and close the ball down before it’s too late.

Steven Fletcher v Clint Hill

Steven Fletcher is always under pressure in a Sunderland shirt because of what the club paid for him over the summer. Clint Hill needs to keep an eye on him and sit a little deeper to cope with Fletcher’s pace in behind. Fletcher is at his best when he plays on the shoulder of the opposition defence so Hill needs to ensure that the QPR defence isn’t too high up the pitch.

image: © Ronnie Macdonald