QPRvs.Birmingham

These two teams occupy 20th and 21st place in the standings respectively, the visitors only outside of the bottom three on goal difference.

Match preview

There is a perception that QPR are one of the most-improved teams in the bottom half of the Championship, yet that has not led to Marti Cifuentes's team moving away from a relegation battle.

Since a three-match winning streak, QPR have failed to win any of their following three encounters, as well as not scoring in their last two fixtures.

A comeback 2-2 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion was a positive result, but that has been followed by a 2-0 defeat at home to Middlesbrough and a goalless draw at struggling Sunderland.

Cifuentes will point to the Hoops being a win over the Easter period away from potentially moving clear of the bottom three, yet their inconsistency has only increased the stakes ahead of this contest.

Just five points separate the teams sitting between 16th and 23rd, and the emphasis is on the West Londoners to record just their fifth home win in 20 attempts in this season's second tier.

With Tony Mowbray taking an extended break from the dugout, Birmingham have made the decision to bring Gary Rowett back to St Andrew's on an interim basis.

Three consecutive 1-0 defeats prior to the international break were enough to force that move, Blues losing to Millwall, Middlesbrough and Watford respectively.

Birmingham are now without a victory in six games and have prevailed in just three of their last 17 league games, which have been under three different managers.

A reunion with Rowett may have come at the right time, yet he will be aware that the storm clouds over the club will remain until he can record Birmingham's first league win since February 17.

Queens Park Rangers Championship form:

W

W

W

D

L

D

Birmingham City Championship form:

L

L

D

L

L

L

Team News

Having been withdrawn at the 70-minute mark while representing Scotland against Northern Ireland, Lyndon Dykes is expected to retain his spot in the QPR attack.

However, Sinclair Armstrong and Michael Frey are challenging for a recall, as are Sam Field and Paul Smyth.

With Ilias Chair having been carrying a knock, the latter could be deployed on the right with Chris Willock switching to the right.

Jordan James is likely to drop down to the substitutes' bench for Birmingham having played 120 minutes for Wales versus Poland on Tuesday.

Tyler Roberts could be brought back into the team in a creative role, while Lukas Jutkiewicz may replace Jay Stansfield, who was away with England Under-21s, in attack.

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Begovic; Dunne, Cook, Clarke-Salter, Paal; Colback, Hayden; Willock, Andersen, Chair; Dykes

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:

Ruddy; Laird, Aiwu, Buchanan, Drameh; Paik, Sunjic; Bacuna, Miyoshi, Roberts; Jutkiewicz

We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Birmingham City

With a different manager at the helm on an interim basis, Birmingham may respond in a positive manner after a number of defeats. Nevertheless, we can only back QPR to end their only winless streak, potentially courtesy of a late goal at Loftus Road.

Previews by email