After the disappointment of seeing two perfectly good goals disallowed against Lazio on Thursday night in the Europa League, Spurs don’t get all that much time to dwell on it, as they’re straight back into action against QPR today. On paper, at least, it seems like a golden opportunity for Andre Villas Boas to secure his first home win, against a QPR side that are still yet to really settle after a huge influx of summer signings. However, so far Spurs have been struggling to break down teams that set up to shut us out, with the exception of against the porous Reading defence last weekend, so it’ll be interesting to see how they fare, with Mark Hughes’ side almost certain to try and play for a point at White Hart Lane. With Hughes without both Fabio and Ferdinand at the back, we hopefully shouldn’t have too much trouble, but with Cesar in goal, it could easily turn into one of those games where we routinely beat everyone but the goalkeeper.
- Spurs come into the game having secured their first Premier League win against Reading last Sunday, and currently sitting tenth in the table (LDDW). QPR, meanwhile sit in 19th (LDLD).
- This is the first time QPR have failed to win any of their opening 4 matches of the season since the 1991/92 season. They have also failed to win in any of their past 15 away games, losing 8 of their last 9.
- In their past 9 away games, they’ve only managed to score more than one goal on one occasion – in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on the final day of last season.
- Spurs have conceded in the last ten minutes of all of their Premier League matches so far this season. All of the goals conceded to this point have come from inside the penalty area.
- The last time QPR won at White Hart Lane was in May 1994. Since then, they’ve amassed just one point from a possible nine. Meanwhile, Spurs have only been beaten 3 times in their past 38 Premier League home matches.
- Jermain Defoe is currently averaging 6.5 shots per game, more than any other player in the Premier League. Luis Suarez is second, with 5.8 shots per game.
- QPR have conceded at least two goals in 8 of their last 10 away matches. However, new recruit Julio Cesar kept a clean sheet last time out against Chelsea.
- Spurs’ average possession figure so far this season has been 54%. They’ve only recorded possession below 50% in one match – the opening defeat against Newcastle (48%).
- By contrast, QPR’s average possession figure is 49%. They’ve only managed over 50% possession in one game, their previous fixture against Chelsea (53%).
- 59% of QPR’s goalscoring chances have come from the middle of the pitch.
- 59% of Spurs’ shots this season have come from outside the box – the highest figure in the league.
- Moussa Dembélé won 100% of the tackles he attempted against Reading last time out.
This week’s stats courtesy of WhoScored, Squawka, Spurs Stat Man and BBC Football.
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