Greetings all! This afternoon's encounter puts two teams together whose priorities couldn't be more different. Managerless QPR are fighting for survival and are currently in the bottom three of the Premier League table, while Southampton are challenging for a Champions League spot and are just one point behind third-placed Manchester United.

Before we get to the main talking points that have dominated the headlines heading into this fixture, let's take a look at the team news that has just filtered through at Loftus Road. Starting with the home side...

QPR XI: Green; Onuoha, Dunne, Caulker, Hill; Phillips, Barton, Fer, Traore; Taarabt; Austin

QPR BENCH: McCarthy, Isla, Kranjcar, Henry, Vargas, Zamora, Zarate

In Ramsey's first game as caretaker boss at QPR, the coach has made four changes to the team that suffered a 3-1 loss to Stoke City this weekend. Steven Caulker comes into the defence, replacing Mauricio Isla.

In the middle of the park, Matt Phillips and Armand Traore have come into the fold, while Adel Taarabt has also been given a start. The changes mean that Eduardo Vargas, Niko Kranjcar and Karl Henry have all dropped to the bench at Loftus Road.

The media team at QPR have produced a neat little graphic to show the lineup and formation...

TEAM NEWS: Taarabt, @phillips_matty, Caulker and Traore start... #QPRvSOU pic.twitter.com/4yMcZ13HPR — QPR FC (@QPRFC) February 7, 2015

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Targett; Wanyama, S. Davis; Ward-Prowse, Elia, Mane; Pelle

SOUTHAMTPON BENCH: K. Davis, Schneiderlin, Gardos, Tadic, Reed, Flannigan, Seager

Ronald Koeman has made three changes to the side that lost to Swansea City this weekend. Matt Targett, Victor Wanyama and Saido Mane are all given the nod to start, while Ryan Bertrand misses out through suspension and Harrison Reed and Dusan Tadic drop to the bench.

There's no place for new loan signing Filip Djuricic in the squad, but the good news is that Morgan Schneiderlin has been handed a spot on the bench after spell on the sidelines with injury.

Now that the team news has been confirmed, I think that it's time to discuss the major talking point in the Premier League this week - Harry Redknapp's decision to resign as QPR manager. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss cited double knee surgery as his reason to depart, while others have speculated that he opted to leave because the club failed to do any business on transfer deadline day.

It will be interesting to see how the players respond today under the guidance of interim coaches Chris Ramsey and Kevin Bond. As we're all aware, it's not been the most prolific of seasons in terms of points for the West London outfit. They have taken just 19 points from 23 games and are one of the favourites to be relegated to the Championship by the end of the campaign. QPR are only one point from safety at this moment in time, but you feel that the new manager coming in has a big task on his hands.

Tim Sherwood is the overwhelming favourite to take the job and in all honesty, it does seem tailored-made for him due to the coaching changes that have occurred in the last few days. As mentioned, Chris Ramsey is caretaker manager, while Les Ferdinand has been promoted to director of football. Both of those gentleman worked alongside Sherwood during his stint as Tottenham boss last season. However, QPR chairman Tony Fernandes recently stated that he has drawn up a three-man shortlist. I assume it won't be too long until we discover who will take the reins.

To intensify rumours further, reports have claimed that Sherwood will watch today's game at Loftus Road from the stands, so I will keep my eyes peeled...

Ramsey also fuelled the speculation by endorsing Sherwood's qualities as a coach. Earlier this week he told reporters: "We're good friends outside football so speak regularly.

"He gave me an opportunity at Tottenham to coach in the Premier League, so I'd be happy working with him as I think he's very good at what he does."

So, QPR fans, would you be happy with Sherwood's appointment? Of course, the main priority will be trying to save the club from relegation as they are currently just two points above Leicester City, who are rooted to the bottom of the league table. The team have not won a game in their last six outings and are yet to pick up a point away from home. They can take comfort from the fact that they are at home this afternoon, but they have failed to win any of their last three matches at Loftus Road following two draws and a defeat.

In contrast, Southampton are at the other end of the table and are fighting for a Champions League place. Not many people would have tipped Ronald Koeman's side to be challenging for top four following an exodus of first-team players in the summer transfer window. However, the Dutchman has worked wonders and the Saints currently find themselves just one point behind third-placed Manchester United and with the chance of moving up one spot with a victory this afternoon.

Recent trips away from home have been kind to Southampton as they have won all three of their last ventures on the road, but they are heading into today's match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Swansea City in the league. You could argue that this is the best time for QPR to play Southampton due to their recent loss, but on the other hand, the Saints will be determined to put things right and get back to winning ways, especially as Tottenham Hotspur have beaten Arsenal, which means that Koeman's side will go third for 24 hours at least with a win today.

Koeman has been speaking ahead of this afternoon's fixture. Via Southampton's official Twitter page, the Dutchman said: "If we have the opportunities like last week, we have to score.

"We always like to dominate the game and I think it's important to have fast people around Pelle today. Normally you know more about your opponent. We have to wait and see how they play with new ideas and details."

Both sides have been warming up on this chilly day in West London. The home side have also been sporting 'Football v Homophobia' T-shirts.

PREDICTION: So, how do you see this one turning out? It's always hard to tell how a team will perform once they lose their manager, but with QPR's current predicament in the table, trying to claw their way out of the relegation zone is priority. While the team have had their best results at home, I personally feel that Southampton have too much attacking prowess and they will be determined to bounce back from their recent defeats. For me, I think the Saints will come away with a 2-0 win.

I'm not the only one at Sports Mole who has been looking ahead to this one. Our On the Sofa panellists Matt Law and Pascal Lemesre have also been previewing the tie. Take a look at what they had to say in the video below.

Right, the teams are lining up in the tunnel and will emerge onto the field shortly to get this match underway. Fingers crossed for an entertaining game!

KICKOFF! Southampton get us underway at Loftus Road wearing red and white stripes, kicking from left to right.

It's a positive start from QPR as they earn the first corner of the match. The ball comes out to Barton and he thumps a shot towards goal, but it gets blocked and allows Southampton to go on the counter-attack, but Hill brings down Mane and gives away a free kick.

At the other end, Clyne finds space on the width to deliver a decent cross into the box, but Pelle misses it completely and the home side regain possession.

Southampton look comfortable on the ball and have begun their tidy passing movement. Belle gets the ball to his feet and goes for a long-range shot, but Green covers the area well and gathers the ball.

CHANCE! Mane delivers a lovely through-ball to Elia, who tries to lift it over the top for Green who has come way off his line. Unfortunately for the Southampton man, his effort goes wide.

Taarabt wins a free kick a few yards from the edge of the area. The Moroccan takes the set piece looking for Dunne, but Barton is the one to get onto it quickly. He goes for a shot, but he doesn't connect well and it flies over the crossbar.

Some decent build-up play at the other end as Southampton storm into the final third, but Elia wastes the movement by hitting his shot right into a QPR shirt. That clinical final touch is missing at the moment.

BOOKING! Barton is the first to get a yellow card after bringing Mane down to the ground with a tackle that was nowhere near the ball.

Oops! Complete misunderstanding between Ward-Prowse and Mane as neither go for the ball when the whistle blows for the free kick. Ward-Prowse eventually retakes, but it comes to nothing after the ball drifts into the box.

It's a fast-paced game at the moment, with both sides getting themselves in decent positions to cause trouble, but neither side have really tested the goalkeepers as yet.

There's some real concern here as Targett goes to ground after Phillips accidentally brushed his arm against the Southampton man's head while both went for a header. There's not much movement from the Saints player as the medics enter the field. Hopefully he's okay.

There's been a considerable delay as Targett is slowly being placed on a stretcher and continues to receive treatment.

Florin Gardos is preparing himself to come onto the field. It's not looking good for Targett as a neck brace is being applied.

Targett is being carried away from the field on a stretcher to a round of applause from both sets of fans. Fingers crossed the Southampton man makes a full recovery.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: As expected, Gardos has come onto the pitch to replace Targett and the game resumes after around six minutes of a delay.

Southampton are the first to go onto the attack and Mane tries to go it alone by cutting inside and going for a shot from just outside of the box, but Green is able to drop to the floor and save with ease.

Traore gets a decent chance to open the scoring for QPR when Fer plays the ball over the top for his teammate. Despite getting past two Southampton defenders, Clyne manages to get to the ball first and hooks it away to prevent the danger.

CHANCE! Mane causes some problems by getting away from Hill with the some decent skill, but his shot at goal is weak and Green is able to knock it behind for a corner.

OFF THE BAR! The corner comes in from Ward-Prowse and Fonte is the first to connect to it, but his volley bounces off the crossbar and back into the field of play. Southampton's best chance of the game so far.

Austin makes a great run in behind to take the ball on his chest, but Fonte covers well and is able to smother it. Seconds later, Taarabt finds himself in some space in the final third and goes for a long-range effort, but Forster gathers with ease.

QPR look a lot more positive going forward and have put together some decent build-up play as Taarabt brings the ball down and volley's towards goal, but his shot is blocked.

Barton goes for the long-ball option by playing it up to Austin, but Fonte covers well once again and is able to regain possession for the away side.

QPR are getting most of the chances as we reach the 45th-minute mark, but they have been unable to make their opportunities count at this stage.

As expected, the fourth official indicates that we have seven additional minutes to play in the first half due to the injury to Matt Targett, who we hear has been taken to hospital for X-Rays.

Southampton create a chance for themselves as Elia storms down the flanks and gets beyond Onuoha, but his shot flies straight into the hands of Green. Neither side look like scoring at the moment!

It's a poor decision from Dunne as he kicks out for the ball after losing it, but misses it completely and hits Elia to give away a free kick just inches from the 18-yard area. Can Southampton make this late chance count...?

...No they can't! Ward-Prowse went for goal by trying to curl it into the top right-hand corner, but it goes just wide and the opportunity goes missing.

So, there we have it. Neither side have been able to break the deadlock and to be honest, there haven't been many chances to speak of! The biggest opportunity of the game so far was Jose Fonte's volley, which hit the crossbar. Apart from that, it's been quite a bitty opening half.

While Southampton have had the best opportunity to open the scoring, QPR have shown glimpses of decent build-up play, but their final touch has let them down. Barton needs to be careful as well as he is currently on a yellow card and if any frustration begins to show, he could be off.

Southampton's wide men Elia and Mane have looked the most dangerous on the pitch and have been able to get their way past the QPR defence numerous times. Unfortunately for Ronald Koeman, his side have also struggled to make their chances count.

Sadly, a big talking point from the first half is the nasty head injury to Matt Targett, who has been taken to hospital for scans after he collided with Phillips while both players went to head the ball. Hopefully it won't be too serious for the Southampton man.

So, what can we expect from this second half? Hopefully goals! QPR caretaker boss Chris Ramsey will be concerned that Southampton's forwards are getting in behind his defenders too often, so we might see a different approach.

RESTART! QPR get the second half underway...

The Saints get an early corner, which Ward-Prowse delivers looking for Mane, but he misjudges the flight of the ball and his header misses the target.

Mane manages to get in behind again, but he's too quick this time as he's deemed offside when the ball is played towards him. It was lucky for QPR because it was a tight angle and he could easily have been able to carry on.

It's a good start to the half for the away side as they've shown attacking intent in these early stages. Davis finds space down the left and sends in a low cross towards Pelle, but Barton is able to hook the ball away to clear.

At the other end, the ball is delivered into the box by Phillips, whose pass to Traore is cut out by Clyne, but it's not neatly done and Traore gets a chance to unleash a header from close range, but it hits the side netting.

Phillips is getting some joy on the right as he whips the ball into the box, but Traore runs ahead of it and Southampton regain possession. Despite the scoreline being goalless, I think Koeman will be the happier of the two managers as his side are currently dominating the middle of the pitch.

BOOKING! Hill's lack of pace lets him down as he fouls Elia and gets a yellow card for doing so.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Schneiderlin makes his return from injury by coming onto the field to replace Wanyama.

Oh dear, Mane should have done much better! Pelle flicks the ball on for his teammate, but instead of going for a lob shot, he slices the effort and it flies high into the stands. He had plenty of time and space to get a shot on target, at least.

QPR SUB: That's the end of Taarabt's afternoon as Zarate enters the field of play.

CHANCE! A terrific ball in from Phillips as it whips round to find Zarate, but he can't keep his strike down and Forster is able to gather the ball in his hands.

CHANCE! Immediately down the other end, Mane drives towards goal, but Caulker does enough to smother the ball. However, the Southampton man gets another chance, but he takes too long and Forster comes off his line to snatch the ball.

There's some sustained pressure now from QPR as Barton hits the ball over the top to find Hill, who heads it forward for Zarate but he's unable to pick him out and the chance goes missing.

Southampton go on the attack and Yoshida collects the ball on the age of the area and goes for a curling effort, but it's rather tame and bounces into the hands of Forster.

QPR SUB: Traore makes way for Isla as the home side make their second substitution.

SAVE! A fantastic stop from Forster! Barton hammers a low drive towards the goal and Austin gets a tiny flick on the ball, which looks goal-bound, but the goalkeeper is able to knock it over the top of the crossbar with his right hand. Great reaction save!

BOOKING! Schneiderlin has only been on for a few minutes, but he goes into the referees book for a poor challenge.

Zarate has been lively since coming on, but he just made a pass that's left everyone scratching their heads. He runs across the 18-yard box, and sends the ball over looking for Hill, but it's nowhere near his teammate and it bobbles out for a Southampton throw-in.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: We have a break in play as Caulker receives treatment for crap, and as we do, the Saints make a straight swap as Elia makes way for Tadic.

Caulker's clearance falls for Ward-Prowse, who chests it down and lays it off for Davis, but his effort flies over the crossbar. A poor decision from the Southampton man.

QPR SUB: It's time for the home side to make a change and Dunne hobbles off to be replaced by Vargas. Fed was meant to come off, but a muscle problem has resulted in his teammate making way instead.

Phillips puts Fonte under pressure in the Southampton defender's own half, which results in a throw-in for the home side. Zarate eventually gets the ball and drives inside to unleash a right-footed strike at goal, but it dips over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Ward-Prowse is involved at the other end as he sends a high cross into the box, but Green is able to gather the ball with ease. Both sides are still struggling to find that clinical touch. Time is running out!

The referee indicates that there will be four minutes of added time. Is there going to be a winner?!

QPR are sending neat little passes just outside of the area, and Fer tries to poke the ball forward to Austin, but it gets cut out.

What a dramatic end to the game! Sadio Mane has surely nicked all three points in the dying minutes of the clash. He receives the ball from Yoshida and moves to the left edge of the area and swivels to smash the ball into the top right corner of the net.

GOAL DISALLOWED QPR get the ball in the back of the net and are celebrating an equaliser until it's ruled out for offside. There was a panic in the box as the ball bobbled around and eventually trickled into the net, but Onuoha was offside when he took it.

Well it took 90 minutes plus for the game to get exciting! Southampton have taken all three points and move to third in the Premier League table after a late Sadio Mane strike. It's another defeat to QPR, who will feel hard done by as in truth, a point was arguably the most deserving result this afternoon. Make sure to stick with Sports Mole for all the reaction, match analysis and player ratings. Until next time, goodbye!