Queens Park Rangers visit Stoke City on the penultimate weekend of the Championship season

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The Potters host Mark Warburton’s QPR as the two club’s find themselves with little to fight, aiming to pick up some momentum ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Michael O’Neill’s men have gone through a tough run recently, with no wins in five matches and have slowly started to slip down the Championship table. Last weekend it was a step in the right direction for the Staffordshire side as they claimed a point at The City Ground against Chris Hughton’s Nottingham Forest.

City failed to hold on to all three points as Rabbi Matondo’s goal was not enough. Lewis Grabben levelled the game at 1-1 in the second-half confirming the Reds’ Championship status next season.

O’Neill will be keen to get back to winning ways before the end of the season, as Stoke look to mount a challenge towards the top of the table in 2021/22.

As for QPR, they recently fell to defeat against league leader Norwich City. Rangers lost the game 3-1 but the game proved to be more than a scoreline as Lyndon Dykes saw his penalty saved moments before Norwich doubled their lead.

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Mark Warburton was not happy with his men’s performance but there were a lot of positives on show throughout the game despite losing to a Premier League quality side. After missing a penalty, Dykes scored later on in the game as he continued his impressive form making it six goals in six games for the Scotland international.

It will be important for QPR to give a reaction after losing last weekend as they have nothing to play for, with the R’s currently sat in 10th position, but a lot of people are tipping the West London club to do well next season after their impressive form since the turn of the year. If the recruitment is good during the summer, they could well be within a touching distance of the Premier League next season.

The two sides met earlier in the season at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, it was a 0-0 draw in the end but the game was far from dull. Dykes failed to convert a guilt edge chance after brilliant play by Ilias Chair, while the Moroccan soon saw his effort flash wide of the post.

The Potters came out strong in the second-half as Josh Tymon saw his effort come off Todd Kane before hitting the post. Dykes could have snatched all three points for Rangers but failed to connect with a fierce Bright Osayi-Samuel cross.

The game was an open affair with plenty of chances created, and it will likely follow a similar pattern this weekend with both teams keen to get a win under their belt before the final game of the season.

Team News

Stoke will be without Tyrese Campbell and Joe Allen ahead of the fixture, the duo are set to miss the remainder of the season with their respective injuries.

Michael O’Neill’s hopes of a good result have been boosted as of late as both Steven Fletcher and John Obi Mikel returned for the Potters last time out against Nottingham Forrest.

Warburton will be without Luke Amos and Geoff Cameron with their respective injuries, while Charlie Owens and Connor Masterson remain doubts despite returning to first-team training.

This weekend could see a return for Tom Carroll, the English midfielder recently featured for the under 23’s to gain some match fitness ahead of his first-team return after undergoing knee surgery.

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