Premier League preview: Everton vs. Queens Park Rangers

By Joe Prince-WrightDec 15, 2014, 10:21 AM EST
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  • QPR have won 3 of their last 6 games at Everton
  • Everton have 6 points from their last 6 games
  • QPR have lost all seven away games this season

On Monday Everton host QPR at Goodison Park (Watch live, 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN and online via Live Extra) as the Toffees aim to secure their first win in four.

As for the R’s, they have yet to pick up a point on their travels this season but arrive on Merseyside in good form after winning two of their last three.

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In team news Steven Naismith, James McCarthy and Darron Gibson will all have late fitness tests, while Gareth Barry is out and John Stones could make a surprise return. QPR are missing Charlie Austin through suspension.

What they’re saying

Roberto Martinez on threat of QPR: “I think Harry Redknapp now has found the right formula and they are in the best moment of their season. They’ve been unfortunate in a couple of games, I think they should have had more points than what they’ve got. I know they’ve got Charlie Austin missing for this game but I think this group are in a good moment and we respect them hugely.”

QPR’s Joey Barton on their bad away form: “We’ve lost seven out of seven on the road and, without wanting to make excuses, we haven’t been to the easiest places – everyone has been in the top ten at the time we’ve played them. We haven’t played the teams around us. That will be the test for us, but we’re very mindful that we’ve got to improve our away form.”

Prediction

QPR have not gained a single point on the road all season, and Goodison Park is a tough place to go. Without Charlie Austin, I just don’t see how the R’s are going to win. It will be far from a comfortable home victory, but I think Everton will take it 2-0.