Premier League preview: QPR v Manchester City

Manchester City will be out to continue their unbeaten start to the English Premier League season when they visit Queens Park Rangers.

Roberto Mancini’s men have been untroubled since a 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on September 27, recording seven wins in a row in all competitions.

City have played attacking football to open up a five-point lead atop the Premier League, finding the net 36 times in 10 matches.

Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko (nine goals), and Mario Balotelli (five) occupy three of the top seven spots on the league’s scoring charts.

They are fed by midfield stars David Silva (seven assists) and Samir Nasri (six), who have both provided to the standout performers up front.

Spaniard Silva, in his second season in the Premier League, has arguably been the best player in the competition.

His deft touch and ability to create chances and space for his team-mates has been a key in City’s superb run.

City have put teams on the back foot and have conceded just eight goals with Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany – who will miss the trip to Loftus Road because of suspension – playing vital parts.

They face a QPR side who have former City players Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips in their ranks.

The 12th-placed Rangers, who have not lost to City in the past six meetings between the teams, fell to a 3-1 loss against Tottenham after upsetting Chelsea.

Boss Neil Warnock praised Anton Ferdinand for his performance in the loss, and the defender will again need to be at his best despite being at the centre of the ongoing alleged racial abuse saga surrounding Chelsea captain John Terry.

QPR will be looking forward to facing less formidable opposition in Stoke City, Norwich and West Bromwich Albion in the coming weeks as Mancini’s team should have too much firepower for Warnock’s side.