Preview: Queens Park Rangers vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Hoops sit just three points above the bottom three, Preston occupy 10th spot in the standings and are just five points adrift of the playoffs.

Match preview

When Gareth Ainsworth gave up his long-standing post with Wycombe Wanderers to return to QPR, the expectation was that his appointment would act as the catalyst for better things on the horizon.

Instead, Ainsworth has lost five of his opening six games in charge, their latest defeats coming to relegation rivals Blackpool, Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic.

While the points deduction handed to Reading has helped QPR's cause, it is imperative that they return to winning ways if they are to avoid relegation to League One.

The club's hierarchy cannot realistically consider another managerial change at this point, keeping the onus on Ainsworth to deliver the desired turnaround.

That said, with QPR having lost four of their last five games at Loftus Road, the West Londoners are the clear underdogs to prevail in the capital.

From the perspective of Preston, their recent upturn in results has led to Ryan Lowe's team becoming more than just outside candidates for the playoffs.

Four wins and four draws have been posted over a nine-match period, their solitary defeat during that time coming away at third-placed Middlesbrough.

Although there have been more stalemates than Lowe would have liked, last weekend's 3-1 victory over rivals Blackpool made it three wins in four outings.

Despite prevailing in just one of their last five away fixtures, momentum is very much with Preston at this stage, and there is an opportunity to further close the gap with some of their rivals for promotion facing each other on Friday.

Queens Park Rangers Championship form:

L

L

W

L

L

L

Preston North End Championship form:

D

D

W

W

L

W

Team News

Ilias Chair is expected to be recalled to the QPR XI as Ainsworth looks to add more of a creative threat from midfield.

While further alterations could be made, Ainsworth may be against tinkering with his backline after they did not concede from open play versus Wigan.

Barring any fitness issues involving the players who started against Blackpool, Lowe could look to name the same Preston side.

Bambo Diaby may return to the squad after serving a one-match ban for his dismissal at Middlesbrough.

However, it has been revealed that Ched Evans faces a long period out of contention with what Preston have described as "a serious medical condition".

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Dieng; Dickie, Balgoun, Dunne; Laird, Field, Johansen, Paal; Chair; Martin, Dykes

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Browne, Whiteman, Johnson, Fernandez; Parrott, Cannon

We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Preston North End

Facing an in-form Preston side is not ideal for Ainsworth as he bids to end QPR's alarming run of form. However, we feel that the Hoops may do enough to earn a share of the spoils, particularly with Preston under pressure to deliver a maximum return.

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