PREVIEW: Sunderland vs Queens Park Rangers - How to watch, stat pack and referee
It is now no wins in six for Sunderland as they take on a somewhat resurgent Queens Park Rangers at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
The Black Cats are not helped by an injury crisis either, with central defender Jenson Seelt and Nazariy Rusyn the latest to be struck down - the former for the rest of the season.
So, let's have a look at everything you need to know ahead of the game.
The Opposition
At the turn of the year, it seemed nailed on who was most likely to be facing the drop at the end of the season, but it is not so clear now. Queens Park Rangers have won six of their last eleven matches in the League, including a narrow 2-1 victory away at the league leaders Leicester.
QPR currently sit 20th in the league on 39 points, eight points behind Sunderland in 12th.
The Gaffer
After starting his coaching career in the lower divisions of Spain, Marti Cifuentes moved to Sweden in 2018 to manage AIK’s reserve team and academy.
He stepped into senior management again in May 2018 moving to Norwegian side Sandefjord. When he took charge, Sandefjord had only picked up five points from the opening 12 matches. Despite only losing another six matches that season Sandefjord were relegated.
Cifuentes was retained as Head coach and he led the Norwegian side to a second-place finish and promotion back to the Eliteserian, Norway’s top division. In 2020 Sandefjord finish in 11th place, eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Cifuentes then made the move to Denmark to Aalborg BK or AaB for short in the Danish Superliga.
He was only in charge of the club for 37 Danish Super Liga games and left the club midway through the 2021-22 season with AaB Fourth in the table. He returned to Sweden to take charge of Hammarby IF, the Swedish club signed him on a three-year deal after activating the release clause in his contract with Aab.
He won the Allsvenskan Manager of the Month award in April as Hammarby won five straight matches and he took them to the Svenska Cupen final but lost on 5-4 on penalties to Malmo. Hammarby finished the season in third and Qualified for the UEFA Conference League.
Hammarby started the 2023 season slowly, sitting 18th in the table after 15 games but an upturn in form saw them lose only one of the following 12. Cifuentes left the club on the 30th of October and joined QPR.
The Squad
Despite their low position in the league, Queens Park Rangers do have some talented players at their disposal.
Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic brings a wealth of experience to QPR with having played well over 200 Premier League games, for the likes of Bournemouth, Chelsea and Stoke.
Former Bournemouth Centre back Steve Cook and former Sunderland Loanee Jake Clarke-Salter also provide a wealth of experience at the back.
QPR have plenty of talent in midfield with Moroccan, the 26-year-old have practically spent his whole senior career with the R’s and Former Arsenal academy product Chris Willock.
Up front, is probably the weakest area for QPR this season, with their top scoring forward being Lydon Dykes with four goals.
Earlier this Season
Kenneth Paal gave QPR the lead early on as he fired one in low from distance after Sunderland failed to deal with a QPR throw in.
Former Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback was sent off midway through the first half for a late studs up challenge on Jobe Bellingham before Jack Clarke levelled on the with just seconds remaining in the opening 45 minutes.
Dan Ballard then tapped in from close range and Abdoullah Ba completed the comeback with a fine finish.
Who is the Referee for Sunderland vs Queens Park Rangers
Oliver Langford will be the referee for the game, and that may well be a good omen for Sunderland.
The Black Cats have won their last four matches officiated by Langford, including the New Year's Day win over Preston North End.
In fact, Sunderland have not lost any of the seven EFL games in which Langford has been the referee.
He will be assisted by Hristo Karaivanov and Michael Webb.
The Game in Numbers
3 – Only three of Sunderland’s defeats this season have been by 2 or more goals.
6– Six of QPR’s wins this season have come away from home.
82 – Queens Park Rangers have been awarded the ninth most yellow cards in the league with 82
Sunderland vs Queens Park Rangers Stat Pack
As per the EFL Website:
Sunderland are looking to complete a league double over Queens Park Rangers for the first time since the 2011-12 season under Martin O’Neill.
Queens Park Rangers are unbeaten across their last four away league games against Sunderland (W1 D3) with this fixture last season ending 2-2 after goalkeeper Seny Dieng netted a stoppage time equaliser.
Sunderland have lost each of their last six league games, last losing more consecutively between October and December 2005 in the Premier League (9 in a row).
Queens Park Rangers have won three of their last four away league games (L1), as many victories as across their first 14 away matches this season (D3 L8).
Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham is the top scoring player aged 18 or under in England’s top four tiers this season with six goals, five of which have come at the Stadium of Light.
How to watch Sunderland vs Queens Park Rangers
Due to the 3pm blackout restrictions, Southampton vs Sunderland will not be broadcast live in the UK.
For international users and those with a VPN though, it is available to stream on SAFC Live.