QPR vs Leeds predictions: Visitors have no margin for error

Matthew Ireland

Spotlight

Marti Cifuentes has steered QPR to within one win of guaranteed safety in the Championship

- Only two of QPR's last eight matches have gone over 2.5 goals
- Seven of Leeds' eight league defeats have come on the road
- Recommended bet: Under 2.5 goals

The stakes could not be much higher at Loftus Road on Friday night with hosts QPR knowing that victory over Leeds will secure their Championship status, while the visitors from Yorkshire must win in their pursuit of automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

Team news

Michael Frey, Taylor Richards and Rayan Kolli remain sidelined for QPR, who have reported no fresh injury concerns from Saturday's 1-0 win over Preston.

Patrick Bamford is a major doubt with a bruised knee so Leeds boss Daniel Farke must choose from either Joel Piroe or Matteo Joseph to replace him up front.

Dan James has joined Pascal Struijk and Connor Roberts on the sidelines.

The latest QPR vs Leeds odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Leeds can move four points clear of Ipswich, who do not play until Saturday, with victory at Loftus Road but they have lost on their last three visits to QPR's home ground.

The two league matches in that time have ended 1-0 in the hosts' favour.

However, only leaders Leicester (13) have won more away games than the Yorkshire visitors this season (11) and QPR have lost a joint-high 10 Championship matches on their own patch.

Indeed, of Rangers' six home league wins this term, just two have been achieved against clubs higher than 16th in the current standings.

Only two of QPR's last eight league outings have featured three or more goals.

The latest QPR vs Leeds odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Daniel Farke's Leeds go into this round of fixtures just a point clear of Ipswich having played a game more

Leeds will hope that their thrilling 4-3 win at Middlesbrough on Monday night is the start of a winning run that takes them back to the Premier League.

Victory at the Riverside ended a three-game winless run for Daniel Farke's men, who are one point ahead of Ipswich in the race for second place but that have played one game more than the Tractor Boys.

Stretching that advantage to four points before Ipswich play Hull on Saturday night will be imperative if Leeds are to secure an immediate return to the top flight, and the pressure could ensure it is a nervy night at Loftus Road.

QPR have their own cause to fight for because three points will make certain of their second-tier status for another season.

Rangers have been much improved since Marti Cifuentes took charge and with both club's respective prospects on the line, keeping risks to a minimum will be paramount.

Six of QPR's last eight league games have featured no more than two goals and, at odds-against, a bet on under 2.5 at Loftus Road looks a sensible strategy given the magnitude of the occasion.

Back under 2.5 goals at 21/20 with LiveScore Bet.