Queens Park Rangers will look to get their playoff charge back on track when they face relegation-battling Derby County at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in the Championship on Friday night.
The hosts trail the top six by only four points but have lost three of their last four matches, while the visitors are 21st in the table, only above the drop zone on goal difference.
Match preview
© Imago
QPR experienced an extremely underwhelming opening to the 2024-25 campaign, managing just one victory in the first 16 Championship matches, alongside seven defeats and eight draws.
Despite those results leaving QPR at the bottom of the Championship table, the hierarchy kept faith in manager Marti Cifuentes, and their loyalty was certainly rewarded in the subsequent fixtures.
A 2-0 victory against Cardiff City on matchday 17 sparked an impressive run of eight wins in 12 league games, with just one defeat and three draws, propelling them to 10th in the table and firmly into the playoff race.
However, Cifuentes's side are heading into this one having suffered three defeats from their last four matches, leaving them in danger of a return to their early-season form.
The upcoming clash with Derby offers QPR a big opportunity to halt their negative momentum, as the Rams have lost eight and drawn two of their last 10 across all competitions, and a win could see Cifuentes's men move level on points with eighth-placed Coventry City.
After suffering relegation from the Championship in 2021-22, due to being deducted 21 points, Derby quickly secured their return to the second tier, earning promotion from League One in their second attempt as they placed second in 2023-24.
The Rams are battling to extend their stay in the second division this season, currently placed narrowly above the relegation zone in 21st, only above 22nd-placed Hull City on goal difference, with both teams tied on 29 points.
They initially had a strong start to the campaign, placed 11th in the standings after 16 matches played having five wins, five draws and six defeats, but they have endured a significant downturn in form since.
Derby have won only two of their last 17 matches across all competitions, including three draws and 12 defeats, seeing them rapidly slide down the table and toward the drop zone.
The Rams parted ways with former manager Paul Warne, who had been in charge since September 2022, following their eighth consecutive defeat, and interim boss Matthew Hamshaw has been able to secure two points from their last two games.
As Derby continue their search for Warne's permanent successor, with reports linking them to Blackburn Rovers' John Eustace, the Rams will aim to build on their recent improvement and secure their first win since Boxing Day in the meantime.
Team News
© Imago
QPR will continue without the services of Jake Clarke-Salter (hip), Karamoko Dembele (unspecified), Lucas Andersen (calf) and Zan Celar (hamstring) for this match due to injury issues.
Paul Smyth is also a doubt for the hosts after being taken off in the 71st minute of their 1-0 loss to Coventry City due to an injury concern, which could pave the way for Yang Min-Hyeok to make his first start for the club.
As for the visitors, Corey Blackett-Taylor (hamstring), Curtis Nelson (knee) and Dajaune Brown (hamstring) are all unavailable for selection due to injury issues.
After securing back-to-back draws under interim boss Hamshaw, the caretaker manager may decide to name a largely unchanged starting lineup for this match.
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Dunne, Cook, Edwards, Paal; Colback; Min-Hyeok, Field, Chair, Saito; Frey
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Zetterstrom; Phillips, Clarke, Langas; Jackson, Adams, Ozoh, Goudmijn, Elder; Mendez-Laing, Salvesen
We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Derby County
While the visitors have shown improvement under Hamshaw and the hosts have lost three of their last four, QPR will be the favourites given the difference in league standings, and we expect the home team to come out on top in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
