Preview: Queens Park Rangers vs. Wigan Athletic

As we reach the business end of the season, the crunch matches come thick and fast and this weekend is no different as Queens Park Rangers host Wigan Athletic at Loftus Road.

Picking up maximum points on Sunday is vital for both sides as they try to avoid relegation from the top flight before the end of the campaign.

The home side are seven points away from safety with as many matches left to play, while their North-West opponents are only out of the bottom three on goal difference, yet they have a game in hand on their fellow struggling competitors.

QPR boss Harry Redknapp has described this weekend's contest as a "must-win" game for his team following their back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Aston Villa.

In the reverse fixture four months ago, both sides found the net twice to secure a draw at the DW Stadium.

Redknapp will be without winger Shaun Wright-Phillips for the remainder of the season as he recovers from ankle surgery, while Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is expected to start Callum McManaman in attack.

Recent form

Queens Park Rangers: LLWWL

Wigan Athletic: WWLWL

Possible starting lineups

Queens Park Rangers: Cesar; Bosingwa, Samba, Hill, Traore; Jenas, Mbia; Remy, Taraabt, Townsend; Zamora

Wigan Athletic: Robles; Scharner, Alcaraz, Figueroa; Boyce, McCarthy, Gomez, Beausejour; Maloney, McManaman, Kone

Sports Mole says: 2-1