When Queens Park Rangers travel to Preston North End on Saturday—a club that’s currently one point above them in the Championship table—they hope to arrest their slump in form and rescue their playoff hopes with kickoff at 5 pm.
QPR currently sits in ninth place five points behind the clubs in sixth through eighth, fighting for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, 13th-placed North End have relinquished their playoff hopes some time ago.
Rangers were sitting in third place only six weeks ago, but a horrendous run of form has put their chances of finishing in the top six in serious doubt.
On Tuesday night, a 1-0 defeat to fellow playoff contenders Sheffield United was their sixth loss in seven matches and fourth in succession.
With a trip to third-placed Huddersfield Town to come on Good Friday, this fixture is surely a must-win for Mark Warburton’s side, or their promotion hopes could be all but over in the next week. THIS SEASON, the Rs have scored 26 times away from home — more than any team outside the top two of the Championship table.
In the West Lancashire derby on Tuesday evening, Preston North End beat Blackpool 1-0, with Cameron Archer scoring in first-half stoppage time.
Preston North End vs. QPR Head to Head
Both sides have 20 games against each other, with hosts taking eight and visitors winning six. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Preston North End 1-0 Blackpool
- Derby County 1-0 Preston North End
- Luton Town 4-0 Preston North End
- Cardiff City 0-0 Preston North End
- Preston North End 2-1 Bournemouth
Away
- Sheffield United 1-0 QPR
- QPR 0-2 Fulham
- QPR 1-3 Peterborough
- Nottingham Forest 3-1 QPR
- Luton Town 1-2 QPR
Preston North End Team News
Preston defender Liam Lindsay is still out due to suspension. He was sent off last weekend against Derby. The back three should stay the same, but Bambo Diaby could start if needed. Ched Evans missed the midweek game against Blackpool because of an injury to his foot. He is expected to play Sunday.
QPR Team News
Moses Odubajo (personal reasons) and Stefan Johansen (injury) were absent for Queens Park Rangers’ defeat to Sheffield United on Tuesday but may return in this game.
Prediction and Odds
QPR is stuck in a rut, but Preston North End has little to play for. So QPR may have more of a chance in this game. North End is not usually aside to roll over for teams, so we predict it will end level.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- No Score: Both Teams
