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Preview: Southampton vs Queens Park Rangers

Saints will be looking to get one over Harry Redknapp for the first time since his controversial spell at the St. Mary's.

'Arry didn't have the best of times at Southampton and can expect a hostile reception at St. Mary's.
'Arry didn't have the best of times at Southampton and can expect a hostile reception at St. Mary's.
Ian Walton

Southampton will be looking to continue their rich vein of form as West Londoners QPR make the trip down to the South Coast.

Saints are unbeaten at home this season and have won their last five games in league and cup competition - which included Wednesday's impressive win at Arsenal.

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Ronald Koeman's men presently lie 2nd in the Premier League standings, while Harry Redknapp's QPR are down in 18th. The season is still young, but QPR have shown evidence of struggling to adapt to the rigors of the league.

Redknapp won on his last visit to the ground with a well-executed counter-attacking 1-2 victory which saw his team only have three shots in the game - quelling a raucous Southampton crowd who were baying for Redknapp's blood. This was his first fixture versus Southampton following his controversial spell at St. Mary's.

Saints, however, have won three of their last five Premier League meetings against QPR, so they will be looking to keep that momentum going.

Not many changes were made for Wednesday's win over Arsenal. New Senegalese recruit Sadio Mané made his Saints debut at the Emirates Stadium - causing all sorts of problems for a makeshift Arsenal backline, winning a penalty in process. Mané could well feature and make his league debut for the club today.

Koeman also confirmed Toby Alderweireld could be fit to start against QPR. Alderweireld impressed in Saints' crushing 4-0 victory over Newcastle, though Florin Gardos has looked a talented replacement in the Belgian International's absence.

Midfielder James Ward-Prowse will not be featuring after picking up a foot injury against Swansea on Saturday, while Jay Rodriguez is still battling to overcome a knee injury suffered last season.

QPR's midfield has also been through the wars - they potentially have three of their core central midfield sidelined through injury. Both Jordon Mutch and Joey Barton are certainties to miss today's game, while Sandro is doubtful after missing QPR's 2-2 draw with Stoke last week.