QPR Look at Leicester....Leicester Look at QPR

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Big game for both clubs tomorrow. QPR under new ownership. Leicester under new management: Both teams with some kind of expectations for challenging for promotion this season.

QPR Official Site
HE FRIDAY PREVIEW: FOXES
Posted on: Fri 14 Sep 2007

Rangers lock horns with Leicester City tomorrow (Saturday), hoping history repeats itself after last season's stunning win in the Midlands.

The Walkers Stadium proved to be a happy hunting ground for the R's five months ago, as goals from Marc Nygaard (2) and Inigo Idiakez gave Rangers all three points in a memorable 3-1 victory.

Nygaard was the hero of the hour, as he bagged a sublime contender for goal of the season, when he let fly from fully 35-yards, giving Foxes custodian Paul Henderson absolutely no chance, as the ball nestled into the top corner.

Its been all change at the Walkers Stadium since then though.

The summer months marked a period of substantial change for everyone connected to the Foxes. Milan Mandaric's arrival as the new owner of the Club following an EGM at the Walkers Stadium in March 2007 heralded the start of the new era in LE2.

The ex-Portsmouth Chairman moved swiftly to appoint Martin Allen as their new Manager in late May, following Nigel Worthington's Caretaker stint at the end of last season. Former MK Dons boss Allen signed a three-year deal, with the 42 year-old edging out Worthington, Neil Warnock and Paul Ince to the post.

Allen quickly rang the changes himself, bringing in more than half a dozen fresh faces and splashing millions in the process.

But the honeymoon period didn't last long for the former QPR midfielder, who saw his side succumb to an opening day home defeat to Championship newcomers Blackpool.

A narrow 1-0 victory against Accrington in the Carling Cup did little to boost the confidence, but Allen and his players responded to speculation about his immediate future by bagging a point against Crystal Palace, before smashing four past Watford recently.

However, a 0-0 draw against Plymouth Argyle last time out proved to be the final straw for Mandaric, who parted with Allen by mutual consent five days later.

A statement on the Club website openly admitted that "differences between both parties regarding the direction of the club have led to a breakdown in the relationship."

Eight days on, Gary Megson was appointed Foxes Manager, with ex-Leicester defender Gerry Taggart and Frank Burrows given roles in his coaching staff.

Speaking after his appointment, Megson said: "Leicester is a Premiership Club in everything but its divisional status.

"The stadium and training ground are both of the highest standard whilst the support is both Premiership standard in its quality and quantity.

"In coming to Leicester I am not just working at a Championship Club that is happy to plod along. This Club has got ambition to get back into the Premiership and that appeals to me greatly." QPR

LEICESTER OFFICIAL SITE Head To Head: QPR

We reveal all the facts and figures ahead of Saturday's Championship fixture against QPR.

HEAD TO HEAD
The two clubs have met 49 times previously in all competitions, 46 of which have come in the league. Leicester have won just 18 of the clashes overall, with 13 of those successes coming in the East Midlands. Rangers have managed just 6 victories in 23 visits to Leicester.

EARLY MEETINGS
The first meeting came in Division Two as recently as 1948-49. Rangers completed the double over City that year. City did, however, win each of the next five Filbert Street clashes.

RECENT HISTORY
Last March, Rangers took maximum points from the Walkers Stadium. Their 3-1 victory featured a stunning looping volley from Danish international Marc Nygaard, whilst Iain Hume netted City's last minute consolation goal from the penalty spot.

BIGGEST WINS
Only once has either team hit six goals in this fixture, a feat achieved by City in a 6-2 home win in 1950-51. QPR's best was a 5-2 win at Loftus Road in an F A Cup tie in 1986-87, when Terry Fenwick scored twice for the Londoners.

MARKSMEN
Rangers' Bert Addinall and City's Arthur Rowley are the only players to have registered hat-tricks in clashes between the two clubs, and neither more recently than 1951. Addinall is the leading overall scorer in the series, with 9 counters against the Foxes, whereas City's top marksman is none other than Gary Lineker, who has pierced the Rangers' defence 6 times.

DEBUTANTS
Just 3 players have made their Leicester bow when QPR provided the opposition, but what a trio: British record signing Allan Clarke in 1968, young Joe Waters in that sensational F A Cup quarter-final in 1974, and teenager Emile Heskey, currently City record outgoing transfer holder, in 1995.

FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
The smattering of players to have represented both clubs over the years includes Arthur Chandler, Peter Eastoe, Terry Fenwick, Les Ferdinand, Bob Hazell, Andrew Impey, Robbie James, Eddie Kelly, Frank Large, Frank McLintock, Stefan Moore, John O'Neill, Simon Royce, Dean Sturridge and David Webb. Leicester

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