Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

Both Neil Warnock and Peter Ramage said recently that they couldn't wait to get this season over and done with and they are unlikely to be the only members of the QPR dressing room to hold such opinions. That said, if any final day match could invigorate the squad, it would be the visit of champions Newcastle United.

In fairness, Rangers have maintained a professional approach to their games since learning they would definitely be in the Championship next season. Back-to-back victories followed that news, both by the same scoreline of a solitary goal which showed that at least in the back four, no-one is taking anything for granted between now and tomorrow night.

If ever there was a game to test that new-found resolve its tomorrow's fixture. Newcastle have pretty much been a revelation this season, which seems an odd thing to say when you consider their resources, massive fan-base and strong reputation, especially at Championship level.

Anyone witnessing their freefall from the Premiership though would have seen a club in crisis; horrendously mismanaged off the pitch and lacking in spirit and belief on it. I can't have been the only person who suspected their slide could continue and that a repeat of Leeds United's experience could have been on the cards. The togetherness of their season then was a surprise and off the back of their home record, they've been worthy and comfortable champions. They will be in full celebratory mood tomorrow and only the Hoops can put a small dent in their party.

QPR Team News

QPR will almost certainly be unchanged in defence, a consequence of injuries to other players (with Damion Stewart who suffered a fractured skull recently and Matt Connolly with an ankle injury both out) but also of the upturn in the backline's form. Ramage in particular has excelled in his natural position at centre-back and he has an extra motivation on Sunday of playing against his former side.

In the rest of the team, it could be time for the Loftus Road crowd to say a few goodbyes to the loan players in the squad. Though no-one's fate is sealed, Adel Taarabt could sign off on a mixed relationship with the home crowd, that's if he's fit after missing Rangers' last game against Barnsley. Jay Simpson was also left on the bench for that one and he could be given a place in the side for the last time to round off a successful season under very trying circumstances.

Newcastle Team News

QPR will welcome back Wayne Routledge tomorrow after the winger joined the North-east club during the January transfer window. It was a sale which raised a few eyebrows as though his form had been intermittent, he remained one of the few players offering pace and attacking intent in the side. Freed from some of the strains of working at QPR, he has improved at Newcastle, with three goals already in 14 starts.

Another player with an even closer connection right now to QPR is Fitz Hall, as his move to Newcastle was purely on a loan basis, although as with Rangers' own loan signings, it is far from certain what the next move for Hall will be. He is unlikely to take to the field though as he has a hamstring injury.

Fellow absentees could be striker Nile Ranger who has an ankle problem and Jonas Gutierrez has already departed the UK to join up with the Argentina squad ahead of the World Cup. Defender Steven Taylor could return though following a knee injury.

Form

Pretty peerless for Newcastle. They haven't lost since the start of February when they were on the wrong side of a surprise 3-0 defeat at Derby County. Of the subsequent 16 games, they've won all but four. Their successful and immediate return to the Premiership has been built on the back of a phenomenal unbeaten home record, with just 13 goals conceded at St James' Park but they're no slouches on the road either, with just four defeats on their travels - a record only bettered by fellow promotion side West Bromwich Albion.

QPR dream of such consistency but under Neil Warnock, there are a couple of signs that it could be achieved in the not too distant future. Firstly, compared with their form at the start of the year, they have undoubtedly become a much harder team to beat, with three defeats in 13 games, compared to eight in the 13 before that. Warnock's initial brief was to keep the team in this league and he should be commended for doing it. Secondly, they're much harder to score against with a solitary goal against in their last four outings.

Prediction

As the Geordies need just a draw to hit 100 points, I'd be stunned if they didn't achieve it. A final indicator that Rangers should be improved next season though has been their performance against the top-placed sides over the last two months. Starting off with their giddy trouncing of West Brom, they've also faired reasonably well against Swansea and Sheffield United and were unlucky to lose to Cardiff. As a result, I think both sides could end the season relatively happy with a share of the points.

SCORE DRAW