Blackburn Rovers, aiming to build on a victory last time out, will travel to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Tuesday night to face Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.
The visitors are fifth in the table with 45 points from 30 matches, while the hosts are 14th in the standings with 38 points from their 30 fixtures.
Match preview
© Imago
Blackburn Rovers recorded a disappointing 19th-placed finish in 2023-24, only finishing three points above the drop zone after a crucial 2-0 win against Leicester City on the final day.
However, the Riversiders have enjoyed a significantly improved time in 2024-25 thus far, currently placed fifth in the Championship standings with 45 points from their 30 outings.
John Eustace, who was appointed in February 2024, led the Rovers to four wins and three draws in their first seven games, followed by an underwhelming run of one win, one draw and five losses in the following seven.
Blackburn did quickly bounce back as they embarked on a six-game winning streak, but their fortunes have once again taken a turn for the worse in the past weeks, winning just two of their past 10 league fixtures.
Eustace's men did end their three-game losing streak by defeating Preston North End 2-1 in their last match, and the manager will be hoping his side can build on that result to strengthen their place in the playoff positions.
The visitors will be favourites heading into the game, given the distance between the two teams in the table, with QPR sitting 14th in the standings with 38 points from 30 matches.
QPR had a miserable start to the 2024-25 Championship season, winning just one of their first 16 league fixtures, alongside seven defeats and eight draws, leaving them rock bottom of the table.
However, a 2-0 win against Cardiff City has sparked an improved run of results for the Hoops, winning eight, drawing three and losing just three of their last 14.
Marti Cifuentes's side have lost each of their last two matches, though, leaving them aiming to get back on track and continue on their surprise search for a top-half finish.
Team News
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The hosts will be without the services of Jake Clarke-Salter (hip), Karamoko Dembele (unspecified), Lucas Andersen (calf) and Zan Celar (hamstring) due to injury.
After suffering their second successive defeat last time out, Cifuentes could decide to make several changes to the starting 11 for this match, with Alfie Lloyd leading the line alongside Michael Frey and Koki Saito.
Blackburn Rovers are contending with several injury issues heading into this match, including Arnor Sigurdsson (thigh), Harry Pickering (knee), Hayden Carter (knee), Scott Wharton (cruciate ligament), Sondre Tronstad (hamstring), Yuki Ohashi (ankle) and Zak Gilsenan (muscle).
Having ended their three-game losing streak by beating Preston North End 2-1 in their last game, Eustace could decide to name a similar starting team in this one.
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Edwards, Cook, Fox, Paal; Varane, Field; Frey, Saito, Chair; Lloyd
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Brittain, Hyam, Batth, Beck; Travis, Buckley; Dolan, Weimann, Hedges; Gueye
We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
QPR's spirits will be deflated after losing their last two matches, while the visitors will be boosted by their recent victory, leading us to believe Blackburn Rovers will win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
