Preview: Queens Park Rangers vs. Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the visitors make the trip to Loftus Road needing a point to ensure that they finish the season no lower than 15th position in the standings.

Match preview

When QPR drew with Norwich City in their last home fixture, many supporters felt that relegation was a foregone conclusion ahead of trips to Burnley and Stoke City.

However, Gareth Ainsworth and his side pulled off the unthinkable at the then-leaders, prevailing 2-1, before they had a similar small amount of the ball in seeing off Stoke by a 1-0 scoreline.

Ainsworth had regressed into the villain at his former club, yet he will be greeted as a hero when he takes his place in the dugout on Monday.

There will be a shake-up at QPR over the summer after a chaotic season, but the West Londoners deserve to enjoy their final fixture of the season after a spectacular fall from grace since the World Cup.

Given their inferior goal difference, finishing in 21st spot remains a possibility for QPR if they do not win this fixture, and that will motivate Ainsworth as he begins to think about 2023-24.

Bristol City and manager Nigel Pearson have been in a similar position for weeks with the playoffs or relegation never being a realistic possibility.

As many as five defeats have been posted in nine matches, the most recent occurring against champions Burnley at Ashton Gate last weekend.

Their form on their travels has been considerably worse with 10 defeats coming in 22 games, four of which have come in the last five away encounters.

Bristol City are not going to finish any lower than 16th spot, higher than their 17th place of last season, but Pearson will demand a strong final showing to help him determine how his squad will line up for the next campaign.

Queens Park Rangers Championship form:

L

D

L

D

W

W

Bristol City Championship form:

W

D

L

L

W

L

Team News

Although QPR will have more of the ball on home territory, it may not lead to Ainsworth making any changes to his starting lineup.

Luke Amos is an option ahead of Aston Villa loanee Tim Iroegbunam, while Chris Martin could be handed a recall down the centre of the attack.

Andreas Weimann may be recalled to the Bristol City XI in place of Alex Scott, who could be sold for a lucrative fee in the summer.

Joe Williams and Mark Sykes are options in midfield and out wide, while Tomas Kalas may end an injury-ravaged season with just a third start.

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Dieng; Laird, Dickie, Dunne, Paal; Adomah, Field, Amos, Chair; Lowe, Dykes

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Tanner, Kalas, Naismith, Pring; Williams, James; Sykes, Weimann, Bell; Conway

We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Bristol City

Having built up a greater rapport with the supporters, Ainsworth knows the important of avoiding defeat in this fixture. That is something we expect QPR to achieve, although Bristol City have enough quality in their ranks to earn a share of the spoils.

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