Queens Park Rangers faded from the Championship playoff picture in the second half of last season. Now, new manager Michael Beale has built on QPR’s success of last season and has the Hoops fighting for the top spot in the Championship.
On Friday night, Queens Park Rangers will make the trip to England’s second city to face off with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s Stadium.
Friday night's game against Queens Park Rangers is the @BCFCCommunity Trust's dedicated Men's matchday.Full details here! 🙌⤵️— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) October 26, 2022
Friday night's game against Queens Park Rangers is the @BCFCCommunity Trust's dedicated Men's matchday.Full details here! 🙌⤵️
The Blues are three points above the relegation zone ahead of Friday night’s kick-off, as they seek to end a two-match winless streak.
Queens Park Rangers are second in the standings, with two points separating them from first-place Burnley. The Hoops can go top of the table with a win, which would be their third in a row in the Championship.
Beale’s team is the Championship’s in-form squad. Queens Park Rangers took 15 points from the last six games in the league and scored 11 times.
QPR do not travel well in the league, however, The Hoops have a record of 4W-1D-3L on the road with 11 goals for and 10 against.
Birmingham City picked up eight points from the last six games in the league. They scored eight goals and conceded five times during the last six fixtures.
The Blues are not a strong home team in the league. They have a record of 2W-3D-2L at St. Andrew’s Stadium with eight goals for and six against. Birmingham City won just one of their last six home fixtures.
QPR are unbeaten in five of their last six head-to-head matches versus Birmingham City. The Hoops did the Championship double over the Blues last season with a 2-0 home win and a 2-1 victory away.
Birmingham City manager John Eustace could be without at least four players for QPR’s arrival. Defenders George Friend, Nico Gordon, and Marc Roberts are struggling with injury issues. All three will miss the game.
Queens Park Rangers manager Beale has just one unavailable player. Midfielder Chris Willock is out with a hamstring injury and won’t return until next month.
Willock is a big miss as he leads QPR in goals with six in the league. Lyndon Dykes should start in attack for Beale, as the Scottish international has five goals.
Queens Park Rangers went to St. Andrew’s and won 2-1 last season. The Hoops should post a second straight-away win over Birmingham City by a 2-1 score. The win will send the Hoops to the top of the table.