DATE: Sunday 4th May 2008, 2pm
FIXTURE: Queens Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion
COMPETITION: Coca-Cola Championship
MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: P Taylor. Linesmen: S Cooke & D Naylor. Fourth Official: P Melin.

The final game of one of the most entertaining seasons seen by Albion fans in recent history draws to a close on Sunday at Loftus Road as Albion needing a win to guarantee the Championship title take on Queens Park Rangers. After Monday's draw at home to Southampton, Albion find themselves within touching distance of the Premier League and only a freak set of results would prevent the club returning to the top tier of English football. The corresponding game at The Hawthorns way back in September saw Albion beat Rangers 5-1 in front of the Sky TV cameras, goals from Phillips (2), Miller, Koren and a goal of the season contender from skipper Jonathan Greening.

Albion more or less guaranteed Premier League football on Monday evening with a 1-1 draw against Southampton at The Hawthorns. A nervy game with both clubs looking for points for different reasons. Albion had chances to take the lead throughout the game but Saints substitute Adam Lallana stunned The Hawthorns by putting the visitors in front on 77 minutes. Party time began 7 minutes from the end when the three substitutes combined, Moore flicked it out to Bednar whose cross from the right landed at the feet of Chris Brunt, he fired through the legs of Richard Wright and Albion are back in the big time. Sunday could see the final appearance in an Albion shirt of both Kevin Phillips and Zoltan Gera, hopefully the contracts will be sorted and both will be back in August. Albion have five players in double figures in the goalscoring charts: Phillips 24, Bednar 17, Miller 10 and Koren and Gera both with 10. Fantastic testimony to the footballing philosophy of Manager Tony Mowbray.

Rangers are a different proposition to the side Albion trounced back in September, that game spelled the end for John Gregory as manager. After the game Rangers were three points adrift at the foot of the table with 7 games played. Luigi Di Canio was the man chosen to take the club forward and with one more game to go, The Hoops are secure in 14th place. Di Canio has had money to spend with Rowan Vine, Patrick Agyemang, Damien Delaney, Gavin Mahon, Akos Buszaky and Fitz Hall amongst the signings with funds provided by Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone. Rangers are on a run of only 2 defeat in the last 13 games, that last defeat coming last weekend with a 3-0 defeat at Norwich City, prior to that they had gone 7 games winning 3 and drawing 4. Their last defeat at home came back in February, a 4-2 reverse against Burnley after being 2-0 up after half an hour. Only one Rangers player has goals in double figures, Buszaky has 10 with Agyemang on 9.

MATCH ODDS - Ladbrokes.com

Albion 6/5, Queens Park Rangers 9/5, Draw 11/5.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

There are no new injury concerns for West Brom boss Tony Mowbray.

Midfielder James Morrison is expected to feature despite limping off during the draw against Southampton.

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

QPR will be without ankle injury victim Akos Buzsaky and the suspended Damion Stewart, while defender Fitz Hall (groin) is also a doubt.

Zesh Rehman could make a rare appearance, but Patrick Agyemang will not be risked after he missed the last two games with a hamstring strain.

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