Preview: Queens Park Rangers vs. Swansea City

Queens Park Rangers will be content with where they sit at the start of 2015, but victory over Swansea City at Loftus Road on New Year's Day could put them in a very strong position in their battle against the drop.

The R's currently sit two points clear of the bottom three and will be happy to start the year with a home match given their troubles on the road this season.

All 18 of their points have come at Loftus Road, a better record than any other side in the bottom half of the table.

They were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace on Sunday, however, with the in-form Charlie Austin having a rare quiet day and failing to score for the first time since the reverse fixture between these two sides at the start of December.

His goals have been a big help to QPR's survival bid so far, but there are still concerns at the other end, where the Hoops have conceded more than any other side this season.

Full-back Yun Suk-young and midfield enforcer Sandro remain sidelined, which should pave the way for Joey Barton to continue in the middle of the park despite criticising the club's fans recently.

There could also be a return to the starting lineup for Eduardo Vargas, who missed out to Junior Hoilett for the draw against the Eagles.

Swansea boss Garry Monk could also make changes to his side as he looks for a response to the 4-1 drubbing they received at the hands of Liverpool on Monday.

Jonjo Shelvey scored an own goal in that match and could yet find himself in hot water with the FA, having appeared to catch Emre Can with an elbow despite receiving a warning over his discipline from Monk.

Wilfried Bony was uncharacteristically subdued before being taken off just past the hour, but he is expected to start again despite Bafetimbi Gomis impressing during his 30-minute cameo.

The Swans have lost on both of their trips to the capital so far this season and have only won twice on the road all told, with only three teams managing fewer points away from home in the top flight.

Monk will be without Jefferson Montero, who faces up to two months on the sidelines through injury, but Ki Sung-yeung and Angel Rangel could be among those to return to the starting lineup.

QPR:

Recent form: LWLWLD

Possible starting lineup: Green; Isla, Dunne, Caulker, Hill; Vargas, Henry, Barton, Fer; Zamora, Austin

Swansea:

Recent form: WLLWWL

Possible starting lineup: Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Britton, Ki, Dyer, Sigurdsson, Routledge; Bony

Sports Mole says: 2-2