Arsenal will attempt to stretch their winning streak to eight games when they face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road Stadium on Saturday.
The third-place Gunners are looking to keep their distance from fourth-place Tottenham. Arsenal are currently three points ahead of Spurs with eight matches remaining, and don't have a realistic chance to catch second-place Manchester City.
Robin van Persie hasn't scored in his last two Premier League matches, but has been particularly effective this season. The Dutch striker has 26 in 30 matches, to go along with nine assists.
While van Persie has emerged as one of the best goal-scorers in the world, Arsene Wenger's midfield has done a solid job. Alex Song, who appears to be on the verge of getting a raise in wages, has delivered some spectacular assists, and Mikel Arteta is coming off a free kick against Aston Villa that was among the best goals of the Premier League season.
Queens Park Rangers, on the other hand, are desperately attempting to stay in the Premier League. While Norwich City and Swansea City appear to be sticking around, the Rs are currently in 18th place, but are within a point of Bolton and just three points out of 16th place Blackburn.
QPR manager Mark Hughes is certainly aware of the challenge of facing a hot Arsenal squad, and how the Rs have won just won just once in their last five matches. It won't help that defenders Fitz Hall and Clint Hill are questionable due to injury.
"Arsenal are playing exceptionally well," said Hughes. "Obviously they're winning games and their confidence is growing as a consequence of that."
Contentious midfielder Joey Barton gave the match some extra build up. The Rs captain said described it as "more than a game'' and claimed that "people's careers are on the line."
QPR would be pleased with a draw against the Gunners, especially considering their upcoming opponents. The Rs have road tests against Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City, along with a home match against Tottenham.
Hughes's squad will be facing an Arsenal squad that has been stingy with conceding goals lately. The Gunners are attempting to keep a third shutout for the first time this season.
Arsenal have never beaten QPR at Loftus Road in four Premier League visits.
The game will be available online at FoxSoccer2Go.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Queens Park Rangers:
G: Kenny
D: Young, Onuoha, Ferdinand, Taiwo
M: Barton, Derry, Diakite, Mackie
F: Wright-Phillips, Zamora
Arsenal:
G: Szczesny
D: Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs
M: Arteta, Song, Walcott, Rosicky, Gervinho
F: Van Persie
PREDICTION: QPR will be desperate to hold off Arsenal's attacl, but the Gunners are so good at controlling the ball, that they will likely find a score by halftime. This will open up the match, and cause the Rs to mount more of an attack, which will mean Arsenal will have more room to take advantage of a questionable collection of QPR defenders. Expect a big game from Gervinho, who has something to prove after a rather lackluster effort in recent weeks.
PREDICTED SCORE: Arsenal over Queens Park Rangers, 3-1
