City go into the weekend facing a replication of the title-winning game in 2012, although perhaps not with the same significance – at least not for City. Queens Park Rangers are the visitors to Eastlands, and much like the last time they were here late in the season they could be relegated with a defeat, which they avoided last time.
That’s not to say the game holds no importance for The Blues. They still hold hopes of getting second place behind Chelsea, and know that every single point from the remaining three games is vital to beat Arsenal, even if City do need The Gunners to slip up due to their game in hand.
City’s record at home to QPR does suggest good fortunes in Sunday’s game. QPR have failed to win at City for over 15 years now, not since a 3-1 second flight win at Maine Road in March 2000. Their last trip to Eastlands came four months after that game in 2012, with City looking to get their title defence off to a good start. Whilst it wasn’t necessarily easy, The Blues managed to earn a 3-1 victory against their visitors, with Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez (yes, it was that long ago) scoring the City goals, with Bobby Zamora netting for the visitors.
This season’s previous encounter against QPR wasn’t quite as successful, with The Hoops earning a 2-2 draw at Loftus Road back in November, perhaps more notable for its controversial decisions than anything else. Sergio Aguero scored twice for The Blues, with both goals being equalisers, but the game is remembered for having two goals disallowed from Charlie Austin within seconds of each other, much to the bemusement of any. Neither should probably have stood, and City were glad to be leaving with a point after it looked like a Martin Demichelis own goal might have cost them that at one stage.
Thankfully, City are likely to have several players back in their bid to get the three points and send QPR back to the second tier. Jesus Navas and Yaya Toure (both hamstring), Vincent Kompany (hip) and Stevan Jovetic (muscle) are all likely to return in some capacity, although Samir Nasri, injured after just a couple of minutes of playing time at White Hart Lane last weekend, is missing with a groin injury.
The injuries are looking slightly less positive for City’s weekend visitors. Armand Traore (calf), Michael Doughty (ankle), Eduardo Vargas (medial collateral ligament injury) and Alejandro Faurlin (anterior cruciate ligament injury) should all miss out, but there is some good news for The R’s in that Mauricio Isla (knee), Clint Hill (hamstring), Steven Caulker (broken hand) and Mauro Zarate (knee) are all set to have late fitness tests to determine their availability.
City have another opportunity to put pressure on Arsenal with a win against QPR, with The Gunners not in action until Monday night. Arsenal do still have a game in hand on City due to FA Cup participation, but should they lose a game before the end of the season then City’s fate is very much in their own hands. However, it is looking very much like automatic Champions League group stage qualification is now secured, much to the delight of many, given that it looked in doubt a matter of weeks ago.
