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Blackburn’s pursuit of a playoff spot continues this week as they go head-to-head with Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.

Nolan James    Feb 3

QPR vs. Blackburn: Mid-Table Stability vs. Playoff Ambitions

QPR’s Underwhelming Campaign

Queens Park Rangers currently sit 14th in the Championship with 38 points from 30 matches. It has been a frustrating season for the Rs, who were tipped by many to challenge for a playoff spot. Last season, Martí Cifuentes guided them from relegation danger to a comfortable finish, earning plaudits as one of the standout managers of the campaign. However, this season, QPR have been an average Championship side and seem destined for a mid-table finish.

While their defensive record has been fairly solid, the real struggle has been in attack. With just 33 goals scored, finding the back of the net has been a significant issue. Swiss striker Michael Frey leads the team with five goals, while defender Jimmy Dunne and youngster Rayan Kolli have each chipped in with four. Beyond that, goals have been scarce.

In an effort to address their attacking woes, QPR recently secured the signing of 21-year-old Harvey Vale from Chelsea. A versatile and technically gifted player, Vale could provide much-needed creativity in the final third. The Rs will be hoping he can inject some life into their attack, as none of their current forwards have consistently stepped up.

Facing an unpredictable Blackburn side, QPR will feel they have a strong chance of securing a positive result at home.

Blackburn’s Unexpected Playoff Push

Overperforming Against the Odds

Blackburn Rovers find themselves 5th in the Championship with 45 points from 30 matches. Their campaign has been nothing short of remarkable, considering their financial struggles and the loss of key players in recent transfer windows. Despite these challenges, manager John Eustace has crafted a competitive squad made up of bargain signings, free agents, and academy products, keeping Rovers firmly in the playoff race.

Many expected Blackburn to fade away, and their underlying statistics suggest they might still do so. Their expected goals per game (1.15xG) is the third-lowest in the league, and their expected goals against (1.40xGA) ranks among the bottom six. These numbers indicate that Blackburn’s current position could be flattering, but their resilience has kept them in the mix.

Injuries have also plagued Rovers this season, making their playoff push even more impressive. If they can regain key players down the stretch, their performances might improve further. Coming off a solid win, another three points here would be a major boost to their postseason ambitions.

Recent Form and Key Results

QPR’s Last Five Matches

  • Millwall (A) – 1-2 Loss (Alfie Lloyd equalized before conceding late)
  • Sheffield Wednesday (H) – 0-2 Loss
  • Hull City (A) – 2-1 Win (Goals from Kenneth Paal and Koki Saito)
  • Plymouth Argyle (H) – 1-0 Win (Rayan Kolli with the winner)
  • Leicester City (A) – 2-6 Loss (FA Cup)

QPR’s home form has been strong, with four wins in their last five games at Loftus Road.

Blackburn’s Last Five Matches

  • Preston North End (H) – 2-1 Win (Goals from Makhtar Gueye and Todd Cantwell)
  • Bristol City (A) – 1-2 Loss
  • Coventry City (H) – 0-2 Loss
  • Oxford United (A) – 0-1 Loss
  • Portsmouth (H) – 3-0 Win (Goals from Gueye, Callum Brittain, and Andreas Weimann)

Blackburn’s away form has been concerning, as they are winless in their last four matches on the road.

Head-to-Head and Match Prediction

These two teams have already met twice in 2024, with each side claiming one victory. Given QPR’s strong home form and Blackburn’s struggles away, this is shaping up to be a tight contest.

Both teams have shown a tendency to score and concede, with BTTS (Both Teams To Score) occurring in three of QPR’s last five home games and two of Blackburn’s last three. Expect a closely fought encounter where both teams could find the net in what is a difficult game to call.

QPR 2-1 Blackburn

 

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