Preview: Bristol City vs. Queens Park Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Promotion-chasing Queens Park Rangers return to Championship action on Thursday evening looking to end a run of two successive defeats.

While the Hoops are looking to move back into the playoff positions, City are eight places above the relegation zone, albeit with a game in hand.

Match preview

© Reuters

When QPR came from behind to claim a dramatic win against Derby County on November 27, Mark Warburton's team looked ready to challenge for automatic promotion.

However, after several postponed fixtures and back-to-back defeats, QPR are now down in seventh spot and in desperate need to return to winning ways as soon as possible.

Even though the Hoops possess two games in hand on many of the teams above them, suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Monday came as a blow, Warburton's team missing the chance to make significant ground on the new Championship leaders.

QPR have also gone two successive matches without finding the back of the net, their misfiring in the final third occurring having previously scored in 31 second-tier fixtures in a row.

Trips to Bristol City and Birmingham City may help ease the demands of an expectant home crowd, but QPR need to be in better shape when they play host to promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion on January 15.

© Reuters

Bristol City have got some much-needed victories on the board of late, an eight-point return from five games easing the pressure on Nigel Pearson.

However, an unforeseen capitulation against Huddersfield Town last time out hurt the Robins, who conceded three goals either side of half time to lose to the Terriers.

That result ended a four-game undefeated streak at Ashton Gate, and Pearson will be concerned that five goals have been conceded during their last two outings.

Andreas Weimann netted a double during the most recent contest, ending a five-match streak without a goal to move to nine strikes for the campaign.

Bristol City had been scheduled to face Luton Town on Boxing Day, only for that game to be postponed due to coronavirus cases in their opponents' squad.

Team News

© Reuters

Pearson revealed before the Luton game that Nathan Baker and Joe Williams were the only two players who are likely to be missing for Bristol City.

The returning Andy King may have to settle for a spot among the replacements, but Cameron Pring or Callum O'Dowda could feature at left wing-back.

Antoine Semenyo will continue to get the nod over Nahki Wells in the final third.

QPR will be without the suspended Andre Dozzell, who was sent off during the second half against the Cherries after coming on as a substitute.

Luke Amos could be preferred to Sam Field, while Albert Adomah, Andre Gray and Charlie Austin are also pushing for recalls.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Vyner, Atkinson, Kalas; Scott, Massengo, James, Pring; Weimann; Semenyo, Martin

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Dickie, Dunne, Barbet; Adomah, Amos, Johansen, Wallace; Chair, Willock; Austin

We say: Bristol City 1-2 Queens Park Rangers

Bristol City will fancy their chances of inflicting another damaging defeat on a QPR side who have suffered back-to-back defeats. However, we are backing the visitors to return to winning ways, potentially by the odd goal in three against opponents who have a tendency to concede late goals at Ashton Gate.

Previews by email