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Probable Lineups…

Queens Park Rangers (4-4-2): Green, Isla, Dunne, Caulker, Hill, Vargas, Barton, Mutch, Fer, Zamora, Austin

Queens Park Rangers have only two major injury concerns with Alejandro Faurlin and Yun Suk-Young both unable to feature whilst Sandro and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand are still a doubt. This means Richard Dunne will start alongside Steven Caulker while new loan signing Mauro Zarate may only have a place on the bench. The injury to Suk-Young will mean Clint Hill is likely to get the knod to start ahead of Armand Traore. Harry Redknapp looks to use the aerial abilities of both Charlie Austin and Bobby Zamora to cause problems for United’s back line.

Manchester United (3-5-2): De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Valencia, Fellaini, Carrick, Di Maria, Shaw, Falcao, Rooney

Manchester United’s injury crisis is almost over with Ashley Young the only major concern for Louis van Gaal while Marcos Rojo, Rafael, and Robin van Persie are still a doubt for the trip to Loftus Road. Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, and Marouane Fellaini all featured in last week’s lost to Southampton and could be used once again for the clash with Queens Park Rangers. Louis van Gaal looks to continue his 3-5-2 formation, but with the ankle injury to van Persie, he could move Wayne Rooney back to his usual strikers role alongside Radamel Falcao while Angel di Maria is dropped back into a more midfield role.

What the fans are saying…

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Earlier this season in the reverse fixture, Manchester United kept a clean sheet over Queens Park Rangers with a 4-0 victory. Both teams need to win this match as Louis van Gaal must keep pace with the top four while Harry Redknapp’s job is said to be on the line.

For Daniel Levy, the January window hasn’t open yet, and that may be the positive fans can draw from the lack of arrivals at Tottenham this month.

Lewis Holtby’s summer move from Schalke has been brought forward, and that’s naturally going to be a boost for Andre Villas-Boas and his squad. But while the German is not short of being able to make an impact for the remainder of the reason, the Tottenham manager will be hoping that his chairman will spring into life come sometime this Thursday and present him with a signing in the mould of Rafael van der Vaart.

And it’s not that Spurs are desperate for a midfielder – although a short-term replacement for the injured Sandro wouldn’t go amiss – but rather a striker who captures the imagination in the same manner that the Dutchman did during his time at White Hart Lane. Holtby isn’t that player yet, however it will be interesting to see how he works out in England. But Levy must surely be aware of the prize that’s sitting on the table and waiting to be snapped up. Champions League football is on the horizon and well within sight. Tottenham are looking a far better and more assured outfit this season than their north London rivals, and teams like Everton may not have that extra gear to push them into a top four spot.

As of now, Spurs are also without the spark that could turn a very big likelihood into something further down the meter towards a guarantee. Injuries may come into play and you really can’t bet for sure that Tottenham will be able to fend off any unexpected problems that may arise between now and May. But Levy really needs to make sure that the club have done all they can to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

What would have happened if all of Tottenham’s summer signings were done before the start of the season? The team weren’t playing badly, but it wasn’t enough to turn a loss into a draw or a point into three. What if by the end of the season a place in the top three of the league is lost because Spurs were one point shy?

The thing is it doesn’t even have to be a big signing whose name alone will inspire the crowd. Bringing in good players who are flying well under the radar may be the way Levy wants to go, and it may certainly be best if he’s not willing to spend big. Clint Dempsey has a few goals in recent games, but it should never have come down to him being the only senior striker available. He may provide goal numbers in double figure, but that’s not the point.

Jermaine Defoe has played well for the majority of the season but his injury remains a concern. Furthermore, how much faith can be placed in Emmanuel Adebayor? He’s always been a striker who works for himself, and now that he has the stability of a contract at Tottenham, it might be unwise to expect similar performances to that of last season.

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At this point, it’s still too early to say whether Levy has done enough for Villas-Boas this January. He may even opt to look past the deadline on Thursday and towards the summer where he can strengthen with choices closer to the top of his list.  If European football is not the priority (which seems doubtful) then Tottenham are well on course to overachieve on what might have been expected of the new manager this season. But if the top tier of European football next season is the ultimate goal, it’s imperative Levy strengthens this side now. It may still be a few years before Tottenham can spend in the same market as teams like Chelsea, which is why such an opportunity this season cannot be taken lightly.

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According to a report by Italian media outlet Calciomercato, Everton are one of three Premier League clubs interested in signing in-form Valencia striker Rodrigo, who flopped during a loan spell with Bolton Wanderers in the top flight previously.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Spain international has been in fine form for the La Liga side this season and Calciomercato says that his form hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Toffees, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion.

Calciomercato says that the 27-year-old only recently signed a new contract with Valencia that doesn’t run out until 2022 and includes a release clause set at €120m (£105m), but the Merseyside outfit and their Premier League rivals are ready to offer €40m (£35.1m) to bring him to England ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

The attacker joined Bolton on a season-long loan deal in 2010, but he scored just once in 20 appearances before returning to Benfica.

How good has Rodrigo been this season?

He has been excellent and has helped his team currently lie fourth in the La Liga standings, just one point adrift of third-place Real Madrid.

The Spaniard, who primarily plays as a centre-forward but can also play on either wing if needed, has scored 16 goals in 35 outings in all competitions for Valencia, providing a further seven assists.

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Would he be a good signing for Everton?

While his record this season is good and he would provide some much-needed competition for Cenk Tosun up top, the Merseyside outfit would have to make sure that he isn’t another Sandro Ramirez.

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The forward, who is currently on loan at Sevilla, had a decent goalscoring record for Malaga last term but struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League, and there could be fears that it could be the same situation for Rodrigo given his struggles with Bolton when he was younger.

The fact that he could cost so much because of the release clause he has in his contract means he is a player that Sam Allardyce, who continues to be unpopular with the Goodison Park faithful, and Everton shouldn’t be willing to take a risk on, and they should look elsewhere instead.

Yaya Sanogo can score!

Tonight was the French U21’s 19th compeittive appearance for the Gunners and, finally, after so many memes, vines and jokes about the hapless striker, Yaya Sanogo found the back of the net for Arsene Wenger’s side! And after just 73 seconds!

Arsenal are learning

When Alexis Sanchez doubled Arsenal’s lead, you could sense the world of football hold its breath, as they waited to see whether the Gunners would take note of their recent capitulation against Anderlecht and, instead of going gung-ho for the third, they’d instead retreat, relax and see out the game. Thankfully, they did the latter and comfortably saw out the three points.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has the world at his feet

It is quite incredible that tonight’s game against Dortmund was the England international’s 100th appearance for Arsenal; he turned in another impressive display and that will excite the Gunners faithful, and also followers of the Three Lions.

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Newcastle welcome QPR to St James’s Park and without the hosts even realising it so much in recent weeks it has unexpectedly become a relegation clash and a must win game for both sides.

It seemed highly unlikely not so long ago that Alan Pardew’s men would be fighting for survival as they were looking at the upper echelons of the Premier League.

The Europa League has taken its toll and the side have lost six of their last seven games and only sit two points away from the drop zone in a disappointing 15th place.

QPR fans would settle for that position at the moment though. Things are looking brighter for the R’s since the appointment of Harry Redknapp as they remain unbeaten in his first 5 games, and the last time they tasted defeat was at Old Trafford.

Adel Taarabt’s one man master class display against the Fulham hinted at a return to form for a player who can be the equal of Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa on his day. They also seem to be not leaking as many goals at the back.

The Magpies know this is a huge fixture for them with their next two games being at the Emirates and Old Trafford respectively against Arsenal and Manchester United.

The hosts have to contend with the loss of influential midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring). Cabaye and Taylor are also huge blows for the long term for the Magpies.

The versatile James Perch is a doubt with a neck problem but should just about be ok to play. Gabriel Obertan is ready for selection now too.

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar and right-back Jose Bosingwa are both still missing for QPR. Kieron Dyer remains another player who is on the injury list; it doesn’t even come as a surprise anymore for him. Ji Sung Park is still having knee problems. Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora don’t look set to play for the R’s anytime soon.

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Demba Ba has scored six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances at St James Park and will hoping to be on target again on Saturday to move his team to safety, despite midweek comments angling for a move to Arsenal.

Prediction: Newcastle 1-0 QPR

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that he does not know whether Jack Wilshere will sign a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Wilshere’s current deal with the Gunners will expire at the end of June, and the two parties are yet to come to an agreement.

The midfielder looked to be on his way out of the club in the early stages of the campaign, but he has since worked his way back into favour at Arsenal.

Wenger, whose own future is also under the microscope, has revealed that there is a contract offer on the table for Wilshere, but the Frenchman is unsure whether it will be signed.

Wenger told reporters at his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s Europa League last-16 second leg against AC Milan:

“On my side nothing has changed. Jack will be free at the end of the season, we have made a proposal to him and I want him to stay and be linked with the club for the future, I hope he will do it.”

Wilshere, who is believed to be on £90,000 a week at Arsenal, has scored twice in 30 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners during the 2017-18 campaign.

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The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Bournemouth before returning to the English capital.

Chelsea have long been linked with Roma’s Mattia Destro, but it’s now emerged that Arsenal are firmly in the battle. The Italian is one of his nation’s most highly-rated forwards, and has once again been in decent form for his side of late by notching four Serie A goals.

However, we think Arsenal should avoid Destro, and here are FIVE reasons why…

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CLICK ON THE STRIKER TO REVEAL WHY

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Better options out there…

Even though Destro boasts a decent record in Italian football, there are better options out there for around £20m. West Brom’s Saido Berahino is likely to come in at a similar value, while a fee of around £10m more would land Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli. Both players are more likely to compete with Danny Welbeck for a guaranteed starting berth, while the Baggies ace can also operate from the flank.

No better than Danny Welbeck

As mentioned before, Destro would probably not be a significant upgrade on Welbeck. The Italian’s strengths are present in the 18-yard box, while, as unglamorous as it may sound, ‘Welbz’ offers energy and industry through runs into the channel. His assist for Alexis Sanchez at Swansea was a prime example of the threat the Englishman brings with his selfless playing style.

May not adapt to English football

On the most part Italian strikers have struggled to transfer their abilities across the to the English game. The pace and intensity, although a little cliché, in the Premier League differs from Serie A, and while Gianfranco Zola and a few other have thrived, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini’s struggles at Liverpool right now illustrate the very opposite end of the spectrum.

A central midfielder/centre-back is a more pressing concern

While attracting a striker would be a massive boost for the Gunners, snapping up a centre-back or holding midfielder look to be priorities for Arsene Wenger. A lack of depth at the back has been ruthlessly exposed by injuries so far this term, while the energy now missing from Mikel Arteta’s game is a problem in the engine room. The likes of Fabian Schar and Virgil van Dijk are cost-effective options at the heart of the rearguard, while Christoph Kramer is a rumoured target for the centre of midfield.

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Joel Campbell deserves a chance

After his World Cup heroics over the summer, it seemed a certainty that Campbell would be given his chance this season. However the Costa Rican has barely been given any playing time, leading to inevitable links with a January move away from the club. Campbell has been a Gunners player since 2011, but work permit issues forced a series of loan deal. Now eligible, surely he’s earned a shot?

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has confessed that there is not much he can do to keep Demba Ba at the club.

The Senegal international has been heavily linked with a move away from the Premier League outfit, with his much reported buy-out clause tempting the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.

It is thought that a fee in the region of £7m will allow Ba to leave St James’ Park, and Pardew admitted that if such a bid is received, the decision will be entirely down to the player himself:

“It’s unfortunate that the contract he has leaves open a lot of questions because we have this clause and every window that comes around, I have to answer the same questions.

“It would be disappointing for him to leave in this window for this club and for his team-mates here, but the decision will be his, ultimately, because that clause is there.

“The most important things we have got with Demba is he is someone who is a goalscorer and he is scoring goals, and that’s very, very important to a side. His commitment to and work-rate for the team, I don’t fault.”

Ba was critical of the Magpies’ current tactics in an interview with Canal+, but Pardew insists that no disciplinary action will be taken against him:

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“It was quoted in England not correctly, and that’s unfair on Demba and unfair on us.

“There will be no disciplinary procedure against him. There was one procedural matter where he could have informed us and should have, really, but that’s neither here nor there.”

For the Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern, forwards don’t come much better than Roberto Firmino, who is rated at £72 million by Transfer Tavern. That begs the question, then: should the Brazilian still be at Liverpool? 

After all, on current form, the 26-year-old is up there with the world’s very best. Last season, he bagged a pretty remarkable 15 league goals, which is a testament to his lethality in front of goal. Furthermore, with 7 assists, the Brazilian is clearly contributing to Liverpool’s play in more ways than one, and the attack often begins to struggle without his presence. Given the fact that some of Europe’s best teams have forwards that can only dream of having that sort of impact, it’s fair to say that he deserves to play for a team that is competing on every front.

What do you think of the World Cup so far? Let us know

Liverpool as a club, meanwhile, though they are improving, are hardly a club that is challenging for every trophy that they’re in contention for. They had a great run to the Champions League final last term, but were outclassed in the final, and their form in the Premier League and in the domestic cups was mixed at best. He’s played a key role as Liverpool have continued to develop, but there is somewhat of a disparity between his form and Liverpool’s as a collective.

Not to mention, Firmino’s playstyle is also something to consider. He’s a player that is unique in the context of Europe. He’s not just a goalscoring forward. If anything, he’s much more than that. The way he brilliantly links up with other players, and the amount he runs, means that he would be an invaluable player for most of Europe’s clubs. In particular, the way he links up with a three-man attack would likely entice clubs like Real Madrid, who rely heavily on goal-scoring wingers. Whilst Liverpool are obviously a huge club, it doesn’t come much bigger than a move to Madrid – and there’s no doubting that he’s good enough to turn out for Los Blancos.

Liverpool fans – thoughts?

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Let us know below!

Liverpool put themselves into a commanding position in the race to finish in the top four of the English Premier League on Saturday, beating Newcastle 2-0 at Anfield to go seven points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea.

Knowing the Blues have a hugely difficult match away to Manchester City on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp’s side knew victory was a must against the Magpies and didn’t disappoint, scoring a goal in each half to secure the victory.

Their attacking talents took centre stage once again, but another player supporters were raving about was teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold.

With 21 appearances this season, the 19-year-old has emerged as a trusted member of Klopp’s team and was in classy form against Newcastle, easily intercepting the opposition and having a go in attack down the right flank.

Still not the finished article, fans are nonetheless delighted with his progress and can’t wait to see how he develops no he has cemented his place as first choice right-back.

Alongside Andy Robertson, the Reds have two of the best young full-backs in the league and supporters couldn’t be happier.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his performance…

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