LIVE MATCH CENTRE
13 May, 2012
| Manchester City |
FT
32
|
Queens Park Rangers |
Pablo Zabaleta 39'
1 - 0
1 - 1
Djibril Cisse 48'
1 - 2
Jamie Mackie 66'
Edin Dzeko 90'
2 - 2
Sergio Agüero 90'
3 - 2
HT:
1 - 0
Etihad Stadium (Attendance: 48,000)
Manchester City
Joe Hart
25
Pablo Zabaleta
5
Vincent Kompany
4
Joleon Lescott
6
Gael Clichy
22
Yaya Touré
42
Gareth Barry
18
Samir Nasri
19
Carlos Tévez
32
David Silva
21
Sergio Agüero
16
Substitutes
Edin Dzeko
10
Nigel De Jong
34
Mario Balotelli
45
James Milner
7
Micah Richards
2
Aleksandar Kolarov
13
Costel Pantilimon
30
Queens Park Rangers
1
Patrick Kenny
42
Nedum Onuoha
35
Anton Ferdinand
3
Clint Hill
34
Taye Taiwo
12
Jamie Mackie
17
Joey Barton
4
Shaun Derry
32
Shaun Wright-Phillips
23
Djibril Cisse
52
Bobby Zamora
Substitutes
10
Jay Bothroyd
13
Armand Traore
24
Radek Cerny
6
Danny Gabbidon
7
Adel Taarabt
14
Akos Buzsaky
9
D.J. Campbell
Referee: Mike Dean
90'
Game Over
Manchester City 3-2 Queens Park Rangers
90'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
90'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
90'
Goal
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City), Assist by Mario Balotelli
90'
Shot on Target
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
90'
Throw-In
Nedum Onuoha (Queens Park Rangers)
90'
Cross
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
90'
Throw-In
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
90'
Goal
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Assist by David Silva
90'
Shot on Target
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
90'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
90'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
90'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
90'
Corner Kick
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
90'
Shot on Target
Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
90'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
90'
Corner Kick
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
90'
Corner Kick
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
90'
Shot
Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
89'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
89'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
89'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
88'
Throw-In
Nedum Onuoha (Queens Park Rangers)
87'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
87'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
87'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
86'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
86'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
86'
Cross
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
86'
Throw-In
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
85'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
85'
Shot on Target
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
85'
Cross
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
84'
Cross
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
84'
Shot
Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
84'
Shot
Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
84'
Free Kick
Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
84'
Foul
Gael Clichy fouled by Shaun Wright-Phillips (Queens Park Rangers)
83'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
83'
Throw-In
Taye Taiwo (Queens Park Rangers)
83'
Shot
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
82'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
82'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
81'
Throw-In
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
81'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
81'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
81'
Throw-In
Nedum Onuoha (Queens Park Rangers)
80'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
80'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
79'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
79'
Shot on Target
Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
79'
Cross
Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
78'
Shot
Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
78'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
78'
Shot
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
78'
Cross
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
78'
Shot
Nigel De Jong (Manchester City)
78'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
78'
Free Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
77'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Jay Bothroyd (Queens Park Rangers)
77'
Foul
Mario Balotelli fouled by Jay Bothroyd (Queens Park Rangers)
77'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
76'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
76'
Substitution
Jay Bothroyd on for Bobby Zamora (Queens Park Rangers)
76'
Substitution
Mario Balotelli on for Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
75'
Shot
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
75'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
74'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
74'
Shot
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
73'
Cross
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
73'
Throw-In
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
73'
Shot
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
72'
Shot
Nigel De Jong (Manchester City)
72'
Corner Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
72'
Shot on Target
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
72'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
71'
Shot
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
71'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
71'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
70'
Throw-In
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
70'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
70'
Corner Kick
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
70'
Shot
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
69'
Cross
Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
69'
Cross
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
69'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
69'
Substitution
Edin Dzeko on for Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
68'
Shot
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
68'
Throw-In
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
68'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
68'
Shot
David Silva (Manchester City)
67'
Shot
Nigel De Jong (Manchester City)
66'
Goal
Jamie Mackie (Queens Park Rangers), Assist by Armand Traore
66'
Shot on Target
Jamie Mackie (Queens Park Rangers)
66'
Cross
Armand Traore (Queens Park Rangers)
65'
Cross
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
64'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
64'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
64'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
63'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
63'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
62'
Shot
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
61'
Offsides
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
60'
Shot on Target
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
60'
Shot on Target
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
60'
Cross
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
60'
Corner Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
60'
Corner Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
59'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
59'
Substitution
Armand Traore on for Djibril Cisse (Queens Park Rangers)
58'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
58'
Shot
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
58'
Shot on Target
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
58'
Shot
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
58'
Free Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
55'
Red Card
Red Card - Joey Barton (Queens Park Rangers)
54'
Foul
Carlos Tévez fouled by Joey Barton (Queens Park Rangers)
54'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
53'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
52'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
52'
Shot
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
51'
Shot
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
51'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
51'
Cross
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
51'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
50'
Shot on Target
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
50'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
48'
Goal
Djibril Cisse (Queens Park Rangers)
48'
Shot on Target
Djibril Cisse (Queens Park Rangers)
47'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
47'
Shot
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
47'
Free Kick
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
47'
Foul
Nigel De Jong fouled by Joey Barton (Queens Park Rangers)
46'
Cross
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
46'
Corner Kick
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
46'
Shot on Target
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
46'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
46'
Start Half
45'
Half Over
Manchester City 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
45'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
45'
Throw-In
Taye Taiwo (Queens Park Rangers)
45'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
45'
Throw-In
David Silva (Manchester City)
45'
Throw-In
Nedum Onuoha (Queens Park Rangers)
45'
Substitution
Nigel De Jong on for Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
44'
Shot on Target
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
39'
Goal
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Assist by Yaya Touré
39'
Shot on Target
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
39'
Cross
Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
39'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
39'
Foul
David Silva fouled by Bobby Zamora (Queens Park Rangers)
39'
Throw-In
Taye Taiwo (Queens Park Rangers)
37'
Throw-In
Taye Taiwo (Queens Park Rangers)
37'
Cross
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
35'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
34'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
33'
Shot
David Silva (Manchester City)
33'
Cross
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
33'
Shot
David Silva (Manchester City)
31'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
30'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
30'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
30'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
30'
Shot
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
29'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
28'
Cross
Djibril Cisse (Queens Park Rangers)
28'
Throw-In
Nedum Onuoha (Queens Park Rangers)
27'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
26'
Cross
Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
26'
Shot
David Silva (Manchester City)
26'
Free Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
25'
Foul
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Queens Park Rangers)
25'
Shot
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
25'
Cross
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
24'
Shot on Target
Djibril Cisse (Queens Park Rangers)
24'
Free Kick
Taye Taiwo (Queens Park Rangers)
23'
Foul
Djibril Cisse fouled by Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
23'
Foul
Shaun Wright-Phillips fouled by Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
22'
Throw-In
Nedum Onuoha (Queens Park Rangers)
21'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
21'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
21'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
18'
Foul
Joey Barton fouled by Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
18'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
18'
Throw-In
Nedum Onuoha (Queens Park Rangers)
17'
Offsides
Jamie Mackie (Queens Park Rangers)
17'
Cross
Djibril Cisse (Queens Park Rangers)
16'
Shot on Target
David Silva (Manchester City)
15'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
15'
Throw-In
Nedum Onuoha (Queens Park Rangers)
14'
Throw-In
Nedum Onuoha (Queens Park Rangers)
14'
Throw-In
Nedum Onuoha (Queens Park Rangers)
14'
Throw-In
Taye Taiwo (Queens Park Rangers)
13'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
12'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
11'
Shot
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
11'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
10'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
10'
Foul
Yaya Touré fouled by Jamie Mackie (Queens Park Rangers)
8'
Throw-In
Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
7'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
7'
Corner Kick
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)
7'
Cross
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
6'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
6'
Goal Kick
Patrick Kenny (Queens Park Rangers)
6'
Shot
Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
6'
Shot
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
6'
Cross
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
4'
Foul
Shaun Wright-Phillips fouled by Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
4'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
3'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
2'
Throw-In
Taye Taiwo (Queens Park Rangers)
2'
Throw-In
Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
1'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
1'
Start Half

It's cost the Manchester City moneymen somewhere in the region of £930million to get this far, but what a rollercoaster it's been - and that's just the last 90 minutes. Who can forget City's blistering start to 2011/12 and, of course, the 6-1 win at Old Trafford. Then came the hissy fit, the exiling of Carlos Tevez and the wobble; naturally, United took full advantage. By the end of Easter weekend, the champions had opened up an eight-point lead, but little did they know a certain South American was readying himself for the mother of all comebacks. In just under two months, with Tevez to the fore and the managerial mind games in full flow, City were back on top where they may just stay for years to come.
Spare a moment for Mark Hughes, who - you feel – will put a decent side together with a bit of pre-season investment. It was always going to be a big ask for the Hoops to take anything away from a City side chasing the Premier League crown on the final day and, ultimately, they've had to rely on results elsewhere. Had they have dropped a tier, Joey Barton's time would almost certainly have been up at Loftus Road. Retaliation or not, he had no right to react in the manner he did, but hats off to the rest of the side who worked their socks off in their bid to stay afloat.
The City fans are being asked to make their way off the pitch so the presentation can be made. It's a sea of sky blue here - stunning scenes.
Bolton could only manage a 2-2 draw at Stoke so QPR, after the most topsy-turvy performance here at the Etihad, are safe for another season.
44 years and two days after their last league title, Manchester City are champions once again. They did it the hard way, surrendering a slender 1-0 lead against the ten-men of a thoroughly resilient QPR, before scoring twice in the space of two mad-cap minutes of injury time to hold off the challenge of holders Manchester United.
The title belongs to City! Just as the whistle sounds at Sunderland, SERGIO AGUERO dances round his marker and spanks an unstoppable effort past Paddy Kenny. What belief - City's season in a nutshell. Aguero's booked for overdoing the celebrations, but who can blame him?!
One goal - that's all they need. It's relentless right now - two and a half minutes to play...
There's one of them. EDIN DZEKO loses his man as David Silva whips in a cracking corner and plants a bullet header into the net. Game on!!!!!
Five minutes for City to find two goals...
That's some save from Paddy Kenny, the QPR man palming away Mario Balotelli's point-blank header. That was probably the moment.
The shots and limbs are flying as City win successive corners that come to nothing.
QPR have the ball in the City half after a spirited chase from Jay Bothroyd. Who'd have predicted this scenario...?
Paddy Kenny drops on a tame flicked header from Edin Dzeko, and wisely takes his time before releasing the ball.
Some pretty desperate expressions on the faces of the City fans; their side need to find two goals in under eight minutes if they're to end the 44-year wait for league glory.
As things stand, United - one-up at Sunderland - will hold on to their crown and QPR will stay up at Bolton's expense.
Edin Dzeko directs Sergio Aguero's low cross towards the bottom corner, but a combination of keeper and post see it away for a corner.
QPR's final change sees Jay Bothroyd replace Bobby Zamora, who's had little to do.
Scripts at the ready - Mario Balotelli replaces Carlos Tevez.
City keep coming with Carlos Tevez again fluffing his lines in the final third, much to Mancini's dismay.
Carlos Tevez gets something on David Silva's right-wing corner, but the Argentine's looping header spins behind off the upright.
Carlos Tevez earns the home fans' ire after once again giving the ball away in a promising position. Anyone fancy a Balotelli-inspired twist...?
With City seeing plenty of the ball in the wide areas, Roberto Mancini throws on Edin Dzeko for Gareth Barry.
Hel-lo. Armand Traore pounces after Carlos Tevez concedes possession in the QPR half, before galloping beyond Pablo Zabaleta and planting a deep cross onto the head of JAMIE MACKIE, who powers the ball into the roof of the net from seven-yards. Man-down – what of it?
As you'd expect, City are laying siege to the QPR area, albeit without really testing Paddy Kenny.
Gael Clichy advances up the left-hand side, but can only send his cross straight at Paddy Kenny.
Paddy Kenny shows cat-like reactions to deny quick-fire efforts from Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero. He very nearly allows the latter's strike over the goal line, with some City players also claiming handball in the build-up.
Mark Hughes has little option after another headline-grabbing moment from Nietzsche's most avid scholar. Djibril Cisse is the man to make way, with Armand Traore on in his place.
The ensuing free kick from Tevez could go anywhere, and only the outstretched boot of Paddy Kenny denies Samir Nasri's close-range strike on the turn.
That really was as unsavoury a moment as you can imagine. Turns out the original incident was on the edge of the area, so it's just a free kick that the ten-men of QPR have to defend.
Classic Barton. The midfield hot-head is adjudged to have thrown an elbow in the face of Tevez and, what's more, kicks out at Sergio Aguero on his way off the pitch. Disgusting.
Stoppage here as the linesman beckons referee Mike Dean. Carlos Tevez is down in a heap in the penalty area, with Joey Barton seemingly the culprit....
Umarked in front of Paddy Kenny, Sergio Aguero can't quite adjust in time to direct Pablo Zabaleta's low cross-shot on target.
Samir Nasri's fierce cross takes a nick off Clint Hill, who can only stop and stare as the ball drops wide for a corner.
Talk about spanner in the works. Joleon Lescott's woeful attempt to head a seemingly nothing ball back to his keeper sends DJIBRIL CISSE through on goal, with the Frenchman expertly smashing it under Joe Hart to haul QPR back out of the bottom three.
Patrick Kenny has to swat Sergio Aguero's cute flick around the post after a driving run and cross from Gael Clichy.
Up and running again at the Etihad. Can City hold their nerve?
Far from routine, but City have the all-important lead that keeps them top of the pile. News of Wayne Rooney's opening goal triggered some rather thoughtless and rushed efforts on the QPR goal and it took a Paddy Kenny howler to finally settle the nerves. The Hoops put in an otherwise impressive shift but, with Bolton leading 2-1 at Stoke, will go down as things stand.
Kevin Davies grabs the goal that puts Bolton ahead at the Britannia and dumps QPR back in the bottom three...
Yaya Toure hasn't managed to shake off that hamstring complaint, so on comes Nigel De Jong.
Much more patient from City this time, the home side rolling the ball across the midfield in an attempt to break down QPR's stubborn resistance. The space opens up for Sergio Aguero, who fires straight at Patrick Kenny from 20-yards.
Mark Davies has just this minute netted an equaliser for Bolton at Stoke. It won't keep them up, but it'll certain worry QPR.
And there's the goal that puts City back on top. There's a touch of fortune about it as Silva feeds Yaya Toure who, in turn, slips through to PABLO ZABALETA. The Argentine absolutely wellies it straight at Patrick Kenny, who can only spoon it up and into the net. Cue the Poznan.
City flood the QPR area, before Sergio Aguero sends a massively over-hit cross into touch. They really ought to slow things down a bit; it's all rather desperate right now.
Yaya Toure pulls up with what appears to be a hamstring strain. The Ivorian's on his feet, but doesn't look too clever.
David Silva has options left and right, but chooses to go it alone before being crowded out on the edge of the area. Hats off to QPR - they're putting in some sterling defensive work.
Carlos Tevez sends a wild effort high into the stand behind Paddy Kenny's goal, with Roberto Mancini looking on a tad bemused.
The home side continue to enjoy the lion's share of possession, but news of that Wayne Rooney goal up on Wearside has certainly rocked their confidence.
Djibril Cisse warms the palms of Joe Hart with a low 25-yard drive. The City keeper could have easily spilled that one.
Djibril Cisse doesn't react too kindly to a Gareth Barry challenge on Joey Barton, but is soon told to calm down by his team-mates. Doesn't have the most reliable temperament, the Frenchman.
No way through for Mancini's side as another City wave is repelled by QPR's red and white wall.
Silence descends on the Etihad. You guessed it, United are ahead thanks to Wayne Rooney...
Joey Barton beats Gareth Barry to a high ball in midfield, but stays down having taken an almighty bump to the head in the process.
Much better from the QPR no.1 this time, the big stopper getting down low at his near post to smother David Silva's low drive from a tight angle.
With Sergio Aguero lurking, Paddy Kenny does really well to get two hands on the ball after initially fumbling David Silva's routine cross.
A huge roar reverberates around the ground as news comes in of Stoke's lead over Bolton. Big goal in the context of the relegation battle. As things stand, QPR are safe.
The ball just keeps coming back to the City players. Credit to QPR, though, with Samir Nasri forced into a rather rash 30-yarder that whistles well wide.
Such is their dominance, City have just the two outfield players in their own half. While QPR have everyone back in what's become a rather unorthodox 4-6 formation.
Sergio Aguero admirably chases down a seemingly lost cause and surprises everyone by keeping it in and rolling back for Carlos Tevez. QPR bodies are flying as the ball skips along the deck for Yaya Toure, who thunders an effort a few yards wide.
David Silva's clever flick finds the feet of Carlos Tevez virtually on the penalty spot, but the little Argentine miscues under pressure from a pair of defenders.
City are already piling on the pressure in and around the QPR area. Could be a long afternoon for Anton Ferdinand and co.
The ball's rolling in the blue half of Manchester.
Applause of gargantuan proportions greets the players as they take to the field. The Etihad very much expects.
Ex-Citizens Shaun Wright-Phillips, Nedum Onuoha and Joey Barton all start for the visitors in what looks like a 4-4-2 formation - Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora the front two.
Mancini keeps faith with the same XI that's served him so well during the run-in. Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero are the chosen forwards, with Mario Balotelli part of a strong-looking bench.
So much on the line here, at the Stadium of Light and in the Potteries. Join us around 1435BST for confirmed team news followed by live text commentary from the Etihad on what's set to be another barmy afternoon of top-flight action.
Big, big afternoon for referee Mike Dean. City have won all four home games so far this season with the Wirral-based official in charge, but then again so have United in front of Howard Webb - the man chosen to oversee proceedings up on Wearside.
Mancini's side have racked up 15 goals in their last five outings - all wins by the way - while QPR have alternately won and lost their last 10 matches. City's home form has been remarkable - they've won all but one at the Etihad this season, the sole blot to the copybook being a 3-3 draw with Sunderland. QPR, meanwhile, are winless in their last 13 away games, and have won just twice this season on the road.
Midfield duo Shaun Derry (dead leg) and Akos Buzsaky (hamstring) could miss out for a QPR side chasing the win that would see them safe for another season. A draw - barring a barrage of goals - would also suffice, but defeat coupled with a Bolton win at Stoke would send them down a tier.
City must either better Manchester United's result against Sunderland or equal it and avoid a nine-goal swing if they're to take the title. With no new injury concerns, Roberto Mancini is likely to field the same XI which ousted United and Newcastle in recent weeks.
So it's come down to this, the final day of a thrilling campaign. 44 years since Joe Mercer's Manchester City side disposed of then champions Manchester United to lift the league title, the Citizens once again have the opportunity to step out from under the dark shadow of their great neighbours. All that stands in the way of a maiden Premier League crown is relegation-battling QPR - a club managed by former United player and ex-City manager Mark Hughes. The Hoops are only two points ahead of Bolton in 18th and need to win to be sure of their top-flight status. Where's your money?