Queens Park Rangers will be looking to make it three wins on the trot when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Derby County in Monday’s Championship game.
The R’s are among a host of teams in the second tier who will believe they are good enough to make the play-offs this season and currently Mark Warburton’s side sit sixth, 11 points behind leaders Fulham and a point clear of Stoke City a place below.
Congested Top Half
A win on Monday night would lift QPR up to third and to within seven points of second-placed Bournemouth, who were held by another team in the top five, Coventry City, on Saturday. Such is the congested nature of the Championship – with nine points separating third down to 16th – it’s often the case that stringing two or three wins together propels teams up the table.
QPR are evidence of that after recent victories over Huddersfield Town and Luton Town and another three points on Monday may even have some fans dreaming of a push for automatic promotion in the second half of the season.
However, despite Derby’s perilous position at the bottom of the table – the Rams are 19 points from safety due to a combined 21-point deduction for financial matters – it’s unlikely to be a straightforward evening for the visitors at Pride Park.
Wayne Rooney’s side appear to have been galvanised by their points punishment and have shown some real resolve in recent weeks. A determined draw against Millwall was followed up by a 3-2 home win over Bournemouth before they held leaders Fulham to a goalless draw last time out.
Warburton’s Warning
Warburton has gone as far as saying Monday’s trip to the East Midlands is QPR’s “toughest game of the season so far”, highlighting the fact Derby are able to “play with real freedom and express themselves” as essentially they have nothing to lose with everyone expecting them to go down.
QPR are 6/4 to win, Derby are 19/10 and the draw is 23/10 and with both teams coming into the match in good form you could easily make a case for either to come out on top.
It’s tempting to suggest a draw, too, but under 2.5 total goals at 4/5 may be the best way to go considering it’s likely to be a tight game. QPR have not been particularly free-flowing in front of goal of late, scoring just the solitary goal in four of their last five games, with the other being a 2-0 win.
Derby have only registered 16 goals all season and the victory over the Cherries was one of the rare occasions this term when they managed to score more than one in a game.
Team News
Derby defender Lee Buchanan is out with a knee injury, striker Sam Baldock is absent with a hamstring problem and fellow frontman Jack Stretton is still struggling with his knee issue.
Centre-back Jordy de Wijs is out for the visitors, while Rangers skipper Stefan Johansen is doubtful after picking up a knock against Huddersfield. Strikers Lyndon Dykes and Andre Gray will be assessed, along with wing-back Moses Odubajo.
*All odds correct at time of writing