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

At a time when the Canaries occupy 10th spot in the standings, QPR are down in 20th position, just one point above the relegation zone.

Match preview

What was supposed to be a fairytale return to QPR for Gareth Ainsworth has quickly descended into a disaster with QPR now on the brink of dropping into the bottom three.

Spirits were high after a comeback 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Easter Monday, but losing 3-0 at home to Coventry City at the weekend has kept the Hoops in freefall.

Ainsworth has accumulated just four points from nine matches in charge, conceding 21 goals in the process, and there is an acknowledgement that it will take a unforeseen upturn in results to prevent a surprise demotion to the third tier.

Home advantage is now not necessarily a positive for QPR, whose supporters have witnessed six defeats at Loftus Road since the start of February.

With a trip to Burnley to follow, this is simply a must-not lose for the West Londoners, something which also applies to their upcoming opponents.

Norwich have somehow kept themselves in contention for the top six despite winning just one of their last seven matches in the Championship.

However, David Wagner watched his side be ruthlessly blown away by Middlesbrough on Friday, conceding five times in the space of 49 minutes at the Riverside Stadium.

As a result, the East Anglian side find themselves down in 10th position, yet they are only two points adrift of sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers who appear to have lost their way.

Although Norwich suffered a heavy defeat in the North-East, that represented their first away setback since February 11, ending a run of five matches without losing on their travels.

Queens Park Rangers Championship form:

L

L

L

L

D

L

Norwich City Championship form:

D

D

L

W

D

L

Team News

While QPR had been within a goal of Coventry until the 86th minute, Ainsworth is still likely to tinker with his starting lineup.

Chris Willock and Jamal Lowe are options in the final third, but Ilias Chair should retain his spot in the side with his 65th-minute withdrawal at the weekend due to Ainsworth wanting to manage his game time because of fasting for Ramadan.

Stefan Johansen may also be considered for a recall in the centre of the pitch, with Ainsworth potentially switching to a three-man midfield.

Wagner will make alterations to his Norwich side, with Dimitris Giannoulis in line to return at left-back.

Marcelino Nunez may replace Liam Gibbs in the centre of midfield, while Adam Idah can expect a recall in the final third.

The likes of Ben Gibson, Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean remain absent for the visitors through injury.

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Dieng; Dunne, Dickie, Balogun, Paal; Dozzell, Johansen, Field; Willock, Dykes, Chair

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Aarons, Omobamidele, Sorensen, Giannoulis; Sara, Nunez; Idah, Sargent, Hernandez; Pukki

We say: Queens Park Rangers 0-2 Norwich City

While Norwich are inconsistent, we cannot ignore the freefall that QPR appear to be in. With that in mind, we are backing the visitors to record a relatively comfortable win, one which may leave their hosts in the relegation zone.

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