QPR v Man City: Mancini Looks to Advance Title Credentials

Manchester City will look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League when they travel to QPR in Saturday's late kick-off.

City maintained their five point lead over rivals Manchester United with a 3-1 win at home to Wolves last weekend and manager Roberto Mancini will be hoping his side can stretch their unbeaten run to 14 games with victory at Loftus Road.

"We want to continue to play well if it's possible, but we know that every game is hard," said Mancini.

The Italian is expected to make changes to the side that beat Villarreal 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday with Micah Richards, Gareth Barry, Edin Dzeko and Joleon Lescott all in contention to start.

Captain Vincent Kompany will serve his one-match ban following a red card against Wolves, with Stefan Savic likely to accompany Lescott in central defence.

David Silva could be rested after the Spaniard picked up a knock in the midweek Champions League victory while Carlos Tevez is unlikely to feature.

"[QPR] have some very good, experienced players and they beat Chelsea in their last home game, so they deserve respect and have made a very good start this season.

"Loftus Road is a tight, compact ground and it will be hard if we are not at our very best. We will need to change some players too, because we are playing two games in three days but at least there is a break after Saturday."

QPR will hope for another top Premier League scalp when they welcome City to Loftus Road. Rangers are unbeaten in their last four games at home and beat Chelsea 1-0 in their last outing.

Manager Neil Warnock moved to distance himself from recent reports that Chelsea fans aimed abusive chants at Anton Ferdinand, after the defender was involved in a row with Chelsea's John Terry over an alleged racist comment.

"I've only read about the abusive chants [by Chelsea fans aimed at Anton Ferdinand] but I'm afraid in today's society nothing surprises me," Warnock said.

"You see what happens when Liverpool play United, the abuse that managers get. Stewards look away - some of them even smile at the abuse you get. I think they (fans) should be put in prison for about two years each but that's just me flying a kite, isn't it?"

Jay Bothroyd is in contention to start on Saturday after he came off the bench to score his first goal for the club in last Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Tottenham.

But Rob Hulse is unlikely to feature after recently returning from a knee injury, while fellow striker DJ Campbell (foot) is out until January. Kieron Dyer and Matthew Connolly are also both absent.