Queens Park Rangers aim to continue unbeaten start to the year when they take on Reading

Mark Warburton’s Queens Park Rangers side are yet to lose in 2022 as they face a Reading side lingering ominously above the Championship drop zone.

The Royals are in drastically different form to their London opponents, having not won a game since a 3-2 win over Swansea in late November.

The transfer of Andy Carroll only condemned Reading fears further this week, with the former England international failing to commit to a contract extension and leaving for fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion.

Royals fans will be hoping for a busy weekend as the transfer window comes to a close as the loan signing of young Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein is their only deal so far.

Queens Park Rangers have made additions in the transfer window, bringing in Dion Sanderson and David Marshall to bolster their play-off push in the second half of the season.

The R’s are currently fourth in the Championship table and had won five league games in a row before the disappointment of a goalless draw against Swansea City in midweek.

QPR boss Mark Warburton was quick to temper down expectations his side would be walking away with an easy win on Saturday, commenting on the quality possessed by the Berkshire side.

“They’ve got very good attacking options – the likes of [Lucas] Joao, [George] Puscas, [John] Swift, [Yakou] Meite. Danny Drinkwater sits in.

“A mixture of Covid and their points deduction has affected them but any team would be foolish to underestimate Reading.

“It’s an expensively-assembled squad and they’re in a false league position. We have to prepare and apply ourselves well.”

The attacking threat of the hosts however can also not be questioned. The R’s have seen 13 different players on the scoresheet and have shared goals equally across the frontline.

If the reverse fixture sets a precedent, then there should be plenty of entertainment at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

A John Swift hat-trick put Reading in complete control of the game before late goals from Andre Gray and Stefan Johansen rescued a dramatic late point for QPR. Swift remains the Royals’ top scorer this season with eight goals but manager Veljko Paunović is still searching for a striker to provide regular goals this season.

The home side will be confident of three points as both teams fight at different ends of the table. Another win is crucial for Warburton’s side as QPR aim to keep up the pressure on the top two.

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