QPR vs Middlesbrough predictions: R's to boost survival hopes

- QPR have lost just one of their last nine Championship games
- Middlesbrough are without a clean sheet in 12 league matches
- Recommended bet: Double Chance - QPR or Tie and over 2.5 goals

Championship survival is now a distinct possibility for QPR following their recent uplift in form, but they cannot afford to rest on their laurels when Middlesbrough visit Loftus Road on Saturday.

The R's have spent much of this season languishing in the relegation zone, but a run of just one defeat in nine has lifted them out of the bottom three and they head into the weekend sitting a point above the dotted line.

Four defeats in six league games has dented Middlesbrough's push towards the play-offs, but Michael Carrick's side did beat Norwich during the week, albeit they were up against 10 men for the majority of that contest.

Team news

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes has no fresh injury concerns to contend with, but after coming off the bench to help salvage a draw against West Brom during the week, Joe Hodge, Chris Willock and Lyndon Dykes could all return to the starting XI.

Jack Colback could also come straight back into the side as he returns from suspension.

Middlesbrough are unlikely to make many changes from the Norwich win, but Isaiah Jones, who was an unused substitute against the Canaries after returning from a recent hamstring issue, could feature.

The stats

QPR have lost just one of their last nine Championship games and have taken 10 points from the last 12 available, although their recent three-match winning run was ended by Wednesday's 2-2 draw with West Brom.

Since taking over the Loftus Road hot-seat in the autumn, Cifuentes has collected 31 points from his 22 matches and had the season started when he arrived, QPR would be ninth.

Five of QPR's last seven games have featured over 2.5 goals, while three or more goals have been scored in their three most recent fixtures.

Middlesbrough have only won three of their 10 Championship matches since the turn of the year and clean sheets have also been a problem, as Boro have not kept one in the league for 12 games, with their last such shutout coming before Christmas.

QPR won September's reverse meeting between the two teams 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium but that is the only time across their last six encounters that fewer than three goals have been scored.

Prediction

QPR's upturn in form under Cifuentes has been remarkable and in their last two games they have won at league leaders Leicester and arguably deserved more than the point they got against play-off hopefuls West Brom.

While the Hoops have seen their prospects improve over recent months, Middlesbrough's have been trending in the opposite direction.

Boro did return to winning ways against Norwich on Wednesday, but they had been trailing in that match prior to the visitors having a player sent off, which makes it hard to assess whether this was a win of circumstance or a genuine return to form.

Either way, it is difficult to see Boro following up with a victory in west London and QPR should be able to secure at least a point, although with both sides looking vulnerable defensively, this could also prove an open and entertaining contest.

Back Double Chance - QPR or Tie and over 2.5 goals in the match at 13/10 with LiveScore Bet

Win up to £1m with LiveScore 6!

We have a boosted jackpot of up to £1m this week! Predict the score of all six LiveScore 6 fixtures for your chance to win - and it's free-to-play.

And if you get just one score right, you'll be entered into a prize draw to win a mystery football shirt, thanks to our friends at Mystery Football. 18+, UK/Ireland residents only, T&Cs apply.