Match Pack: Saints vs QPR

THE MATCH

Saints vs Queens Park Rangers
Sky Bet Championship
St Mary’s Stadium
Saturday 26th August, 3pm BST

THE OFFICIALS

Referee: James Bell
Assistants: Ian Cooper, George Byrne
Fourth official: Oliver Langford

HOW TO WATCH

International fans can catch the game from St Mary’s on Saints Play. For more details see below:

Saints Play Packages

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Saturday’s fixture won’t just be about continuing the positive start to the Championship season for Saints. It also presents an opportunity to right the concerning recent form at St Mary’s Stadium.

One home win in nine league games isn’t the type of record that secures promotion, something Russell Martin will be aware of as his side look to stay in touch with Ipswich and Leicester’s perfect starts.

After heavy defeat at home on opening day, Gareth Ainsworth’s QPR side looked to have turned a corner with a 2-1 win at Cardiff City on matchday two.

There was also much to like for hosts Rangers last time out; more than holding their own but narrowly losing out to league leaders Ipswich Town last Saturday.

A win for QPR at this early stage of the season would see them leap into as high as sixth, whilst Saints could go top if other results go their way.

TEAM NEWS

Russell Martin gave a positive update on Will Smallbone, but the weekend's game comes too soon for the midfielder, who is still recovering from a knock against Norwich.

Kamaldeen Sulemana has returned to training this week, having had a disrupted pre-season as he recovers from an injury picked up in the summer.

For QPR, manager Ainsworth has confirmed striker Lyndon Dykes and defender Jake Clarke-Salter are both nearing a return. Meanwhile Chris Willock and Sam Field have looked to recovered from knocks picked up during the defeat to Ipswich.

THE MANAGERS

Russell Martin: “It’s been a good start but we want to get that first home win as quickly as possible. No game in this league is easy so we will not be turning up tomorrow thinking it’s going to be, it won’t.

“It’s going to be a good game, a very interesting game. I’m really excited to get back to St Mary’s, the atmosphere against Norwich was incredible. They’re [QPR] getting better game-on-game. They’re going to be fighting and running very hard for [Gareth Ainsworth] and each other.”

Gareth Ainsworth: "I’m excited and what a chance to go and impress on Saturday. I’d give my right arm to play in a game like this, as would the 3,000 fans we’ve got travelling. I’m in awe of you guys.

"Let’s give everything we possibly can. We know the challenge ahead against Premier League players, but I know we can go there and upset the odds. So do our fans and so do the players."

ONES TO WATCH

Sam Amo-Ameyaw: Whilst the 17-year-old has yet to start a game for Saints this season, his introduction during the second half at Plymouth Argyle kick-started the late siege which would eventually bring a late winner for Martin’s side.

A home game against a side with patchy form at the start of the season could be the perfect recipe for a first start, but if his role comes off the bench QPR will be need to be wary of his close control and direct running style.

Sinclair Armstrong: Another youngster who’s sparked life into the side this season, Armstrong was influential during the win at Cardiff, registering a goal and an assist.

The Republic of Ireland U21 international has shown a devastating mix of strength and speed, with Rangers fans pleased to hear he's shaken off the knock that forced him off last time out.

HEAD TO HEAD

Played: 112
Saints: 46
Draws: 27
Norwich: 39

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

February 2015: QPR 0-1 Saints (Mané)
September 2014: Saints 2-1 QPR (Bertrand, Pelle)
March 2013: Saints 1-2 QPR (Ramirez)
November 2012: QPR 1-3 Saints (Lambert, Puncheon, A.Ferdinand og)
March 2009: Saints 0-0 QPR

KEEP UP TO DATE

Can't make St Mary’s ? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action.

Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game for international fans, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:

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