QPRvs.Bristol City

The Robins are sitting in fifth spot with five matches left to play, while the R's will head into the weekend in 15th position.

Match preview

QPR will be in a buoyant mood after they got the better of Oxford United in midweek to end a seven-game winless run.

A Ronnie Edwards opener, an own goal and a late Yang Min-hyeok effort proved enough to secure QPR a 3-1 victory at the Kassam Stadium, representing their first away league win in over two months.

That result has gone a long way to preserving QPR's Championship status, with seven points separating them from the drop zone, with just five matches left to play.

After enjoying success on their travels, the R's will now return to the familiar surroundings of Loftus Road, where they have taken just two points from their last three home outings.

That represents a considerable drop off for a team that recorded seven victories in eight home games before they lost 2-1 to Sheffield United at the start of March.

QPR can take confidence from the fact they have avoided defeat in five of their previous six Championship meetings with Bristol City (W3, D2), although the home team on the day has not won this fixture in any of the last 10 head-to-head games between the two sides.

Bristol City have proven to be a tough team to beat in the past couple of months, having lost just one of their previous 10 Championship matches (W6, D3).

Their only defeat in that period took place in their most recent away game against Burnley, before they bounced back with consecutive 2-1 home victories over Watford and West Bromwich Albion.

Liam Manning's side looked set to play out a 1-1 draw in Tuesday's clash with the Baggies until Hayden Roberts netted a 96th-minute winner to snatch all three points, boosting Bristol City's hopes of reaching the Championship playoffs for the first time since they achieved a fourth-placed finish in 2007-08.

However, they will know they can ill-afford to rest on their laurels, with just three points separating them from seventh-placed Middlesbrough.

Bristol City will play three of their final five away games, which could be a cause for concern as they have won just one of their previous 12 Championship away matches (D6, L5).

The Robins will hope to overcome their away struggles in Saturday's fixture, as they look to claim three consecutive Championship victories for the first time since 2023.

Queens Park Rangers Championship form:

L

L

D

L

D

W

Bristol City Championship form:

D

D

W

L

W

W

Team News

QPR remain without the services of Steve Cook, Jake Clarke-Salter, Harvey Vale, Alfie Lloyd, Ilias Chair and Zan Celar.

Michael Frey is closing in on a return to action following a three-game injury absence, but Saturday's contest may come too soon for the R's forward.

Rayan Kolli could be given minutes off the bench after he returned from injury to be an unused substitute for Wednesday's win over Oxford.

As for the visitors, they have reported no fresh injury issues ahead of the weekend, although they are still without long-term absentees Ayman Benarous and Luke McNally.

Scott Twine could be in contention to make the matchday squad after missing the last two matches with a groin problem.

Defender George Tanner should feature among the substitutes after returning ahead of schedule from knee surgery to make a late appearance in midweek.

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Nardi; Dunne, Edwards, Morrison, Paal; Colback, Field; Yang, Varane, Smyth; Bennie

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Vyner, Dickie, Pring; Sykes, Knight, Williams, McCorie; Bird, Earthy; Wells

We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Bristol City

Written by

Ben Sully

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