Three of QPR’s last four draws have come on their travels
Stoke have won just two of their last six home league games
Recommended bet: Draw
The race for Championship play-off places is typically tight with just seven points separating third-placed Ipswich from 12th-placed Leicester.
All of the teams in between are clinging onto a promotion dream, including eighth-placed Stoke and QPR in 11th, who are one and three points outside the top six.
Stoke started the season strongly and were in second place no less after taking 27 points from their opening 14 games.
The Potters’ fortunes changed with a poor run of results in the run up to Christmas but the new year has brought fresh cheer with league wins away to Hull (1-0) and Norwich (2-0) preceding a 1-0 victory at home to Coventry in the FA Cup third round.
QPR have also gone through peaks and troughs although their 38-point tally is six more than they had accrued at the same stage last season.
Julien Stephan’s side exited the FA Cup with a 2-1 extra-time loss at West Ham, but they head to Stoke in good spirits after a 3-0 success at home to Sheffield Wednesday in their last Championship encounter.
The latest Stoke vs QPR odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Team news
Stoke are going through a tough period in terms of injuries with Ben Gibson (hamstring), Aaron Cresswell, Lewis Baker (both ankle), Eric Bocat (knee), Robert Bozenik, Viktor Johansson (both shoulder) and Nathan Lowe (leg) on the sidelines.
Baker, Bocat, Cresswell and Gibson are reportedly the closest to returning but this week's match may come too soon.
QPR are also stretched with Rumarn Burrell and Jonathan Varane the latest additions to an injury list featuring Jake Clarke-Salter, Ilias Chair, Ziyad Larkeche and Liam Morrison.
There is better news regarding Kwame Poku, who may return after a short lay-off.
The latest Stoke vs QPR odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
The stats
Five of Stoke’s last six games have featured less than three goals.
The Potters have scored less than two goals in eight of their last 10 fixtures.
QPR have scored in their last 12 matches.
Both teams have scored in each of QPR’s last five away games.
The latest Stoke vs QPR odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Prediction
QPR have been beaten on three of their last four Championship road trips but they can give their travelling fans a better experience by picking up a point in the Potteries.
After three successive bottom-half finishes, QPR have the look of a team on the up.
The R's have netted on each of their last six road trips and one goal may be enough to avoid defeat against Stoke, who are the lowest scorers among top-half clubs.
Stoke are heavily reliant on Welsh international winger Sorba Thomas, who has contributed nine goals and five assists.
Mark Robins’ side have scored just once in their last two league fixtures and their lack of firepower increases the chances of a stalemate this weekend.
Back the draw at 43/20 with LiveScore Bet.
The latest Stoke vs QPR odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
