QPR vs Preston Predictions

• QPR have won two of their last five home league games
• Preston have lost three of their last five Championship games, including two of their last three on the road
• Preston were poor in a 3-0 defeat at Southampton on Tuesday that could easily have been more embarrassing

Preston were put in their place at St Mary’s

Preston’s play-off hopes were all but extinguished by Southampton on Tuesday and a repeat of that dismal performance would see them beaten by relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Ryan Lowe lamented his side’s first-half display at St Mary’s as the Saints shot into a three-goal lead by 33 minutes and had two other big chances to score before the break. But they were not much better after half-time either as Southampton enjoyed 87% possession and forced Freddie Woodman into a couple of notable saves.

Lowe’s side won three consecutive away league games earlier this spring, keeping clean sheets at Cardiff, Coventry and Plymouth. But they have since lost their way on the road, failing to score in defeats at Birmingham and Southampton plus a goalless draw at Watford.

Rangers have not been getting reward for their efforts

QPR are not in supreme form, but they are fighting for their Championship future and can find the firepower to earn three points this weekend. The R’s produced a higher expected goals (xG) figure than Hull in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at The MKM Stadium, which suggests that result can be easily brushed off as an anomaly.

Marti Cifuentes’ men also outperformed Sheffield Wednesday in all the stats that matter, apart from the scoreline, in a 2-0 home loss a fortnight ago and can get back among the goals against a worrisome North End rearguard.

QPR have scored exactly two goals in four of their last six home league games and if Preston’s potency problems persist then a 2-0 win is there for the hosts.