QPR vs Middlesbrough Predictions

• There has been fewer than three goals in 11 of QPR’s 15 home league matches.
• There has been fewer than three goals in 10 of the visitor’s 13 away Championship games.
• QPR boast the joint second-best home defence, whilst the visitors have the joint second-best away defence.

League to get hosts full focus

QPR looked as though they were putting an exceptional run of form together after they’d thrashed Reading in the league but they were brought back down to earth at the weekend as they were dumped out of the FA Cup by fellow Championship outfit Peterborough United. It does mean that the Hoops can now divert all of their focus onto the challenge for an automatic promotion place. They currently sit just two points off of second-placed Blackburn Rovers but they have played two games less, and with Bournemouth, who sit third, looking a little shaky of late, QPR will know a win over an in-form Middlesbrough side would boost their promotion charge. They’ll also be keen to avoid a loss here as that would put allow Middlesbrough to cut the deficit to just three points.

What a weekend it was for Middlesbrough, kicking off the FA Cup action Friday night away to Manchester United at Old Trafford and they embodied Chris Wilder’s philosophy. They were exceptionally hard-working, closed down quickly and extremely well organised as the back. Although their goal was somewhat controversial, it’s hard to deny they deserved something from the game. They’ll likely still be on cloud nine, but boss Wilder won’t allow his team to take it easy as they’re still in the hunt for a playoff spot – only missing out currently due to goal difference.

Chances few and far between

We do think the home side are the more likely of the two to pick up a win as Middlesbrough are coming off the back of a monumental but physically demanding win against the red side of Manchester. A loss could be seriously detrimental for both of these sides and we think it could be a chess match, with few chances being created due to neither side taking too many risks. As a result, we think there will be fewer than three goals here.