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High-flying Queens Park Rangers visit Deepdale in hot form after winning six of their last seven games in the Championship, while Preston are looking to bounce back after their recent heavy defeat.
North End have been going through a bad spell as of late as Alex Neil’s side have been unable to mount a challenge on the top six since the turn of the new year. A few noticeable first-team injuries have hampered the team’s progress, as they have lost four of their last five league games.
As for QPR, the turn of the year was welcomed by manager Mark Warburton, as he and the board used the January transfer window wisely to recruit in important positions. Charlie Austin returned to his former club, while Stefan Johansen made the short trip to join the club from Fulham. Both players have been instrumental in the team’s recent uplift in form. Rangers have won six of their last seven games, as many as they managed in the whole first half of the season.
The hosts, Preston, come into the game on the back of a heavy 4-0 defeat against Cardiff City at the weekend. It was far from an ideal start to the game when Kieffer Moore had the hosts ahead inside two minutes from the spot. Despite holding on for the remainder of the half, the Bluebirds had their fair share of chances to double their lead before the break.
A much more clinical Cardiff entered the field in the second half as they took a two-goal lead within a minute of the restart – Preston’s lack of concentration at the start of each half costing the team. Finally, the Lilywhites’ day went from bad to worse when Marlon Pack and Mark Harris confirmed all three points for Cardiff.
After their positive start to the season, Preston have started to fall down the table towards the relegation zone, sitting in 14th position in the league table, just ten points off both 6th and 22nd place. Neil’s side will be keen to respond after recent defeats, but it will be hard against an in-form QPR side brewing with confidence.
In comparison, QPR have been in hot form as of late, beating three teams in the top six in their last three fixtures, which has sparked some optimism around the club. Their most recent win was against Jonathan Woodgate’s Bournemouth side, who themselves have been in good form recently. A late goal secured a win at Kiyan Prince Foundation for Rangers.
Warburton’s side failed to match the intensity of Bournemouth in the opening half an hour, but grew into the game as the half progressed, with noticeable saves from Seny Dieng denying the visitors. It was January signing Johansen who opened the scoring in the second half when Rangers pressed high up the pitch, nicking the ball off Jefferson Lerma before the Norwegian cooly side-footed his effort past the goalkeeper.
It was not long until the Cherries levelled the scores, as Shane Long bundled in a cross from close range after beautiful build-up exchanges between Junior Stanislas and Sam Surridge. Rangers claimed all three points with five minutes remaining on the clock when a whipped cross fell just short of Niko Hämäläinen, but luckily the late-arriving Todd Kane was there to finish off the move as QPR went on to win 2-1.
The West London club have been going from strength to strength in recent weeks, proving many people wrong about the calibre within their ranks. They currently find themselves in 12th position on 39 points, as well as having either one or two games in hand compared to the teams around them. If QPR want any chance of a late playoff push, they must claim all three points at Deepdale against a struggling Preston side.
Preston North End
Four players have been ruled out for the hosts. This includes Billy Bodin, Declan Rudd, Patrick Bauer and Louis Molt, who will all miss the visit of the Hoops.
Their number one goalkeeper, Rudd, has been out with a long term knee injury while Patrick Bauer has an Achilles injury after a promising start of the season.
There are no suspension concerns for Preston North End.
Queens Park Rangers
The visitors will be without Luke Amos and Charlie Owens for the remainder of the season, with their respective ACL and knee injuries.
Tom Carroll will also miss the game with an injury which could see the Englishman out until the latter stages of the season.
George Thomas and Jordy De Wijs are doubts for the fixture as they regain fitness levels.
Preston North End latest form – L, L, W, L, L
Queens Park Rangers latest form – L, W, W, W, W
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