Both were in the Premier League not so long ago, but on Friday night QPR and Aston Villa will be aiming to move into the top half of the Championship.
After missing out on promotion by losing to Fulham in the play-off final last season, Aston Villa started the current campaign poorly and sacked Steve Bruce, replacing him with Dean Smith from Brentford.
QPR were beginning to stagnate under Ian Holloway last term and so a change in the dugout occurred over the summer, with former England boss Steve McClaren coming in at Loftus Road.
But which side will take the points on Friday evening?
Read on to find out where to watch QPR vs Aston Villa as well as team news, predicted XIs, statistics and betting tips.
When is QPR vs Aston Villa?
Competition: Championship
Venue: Loftus Road
Date: Friday, 26 October
Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
Match Preview
After winning his first game in charge of Villa against Swansea City, Dean Smith’s side fell to a defeat against Norwich City in midweek. Currently 16th in the table, Villa will be aiming to jump above QPR into the top half with a win.
The Villans have won only five of their 16 matches across all competitions so far this season, losing five and drawing six. Those draws must become wins if Smith’s men are to turn a disappointing start into a play-off push.
Meanwhile, QPR are unbeaten in their last four matches, winning three including a 3-0 midweek victory over Sheffield Wednesday at home. Their disastrous start to the season saw them labelled relegation favourites, but McClaren deserves praise for turning QPR’s form around.
The Londoners have conceded just one goal in those four games, and they can climb as high as seventh in the table with a win before the rest of the Championship teams play on Saturday.
Friday’s clash has all the ingredients of a tight contest with both sides desperate for the points.
Where can I watch live?
QPR vs Aston Villa will be available to watch live by UK residents on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, channels 401 and 403 respectively in Sky, and channels 501 and 503 respectively for Virgin Media users. The match can also be viewed on Sky Go or the Sky Sports app.
Can Dean Smith seal first away points?
When Villa took the lead at Norwich on Tuesday, Smith must have thought he was heading towards his first away victory with his new club. However, a Jordan Rhodes brace turned the game on its head in the second half and Villa left East Anglia with nothing. Villa are too far behind the leading pack to rely solely on their home form in order to push for a return to the Premier League; they must start winning away, too.
Can QPR keep yet another clean sheet?
As mentioned above, QPR have kept three clean sheets in their last four outings. What’s more, they have kept the opposition out in six of their last ten Championship games, a much needed improvement after opening the season with four defeats in four. Villa have scored in all 14 of their league matches so far this term – surely something has to give eventually.
Will Nahki Wells come good?
In midweek, Nahki Wells scored his first QPR goal at the tenth attempt since joining the Londoners on loan from Burnley. Tomer Hemed has been the real hit under McClaren, but Wells has the potential to lead the line alongside Hemed. The former Bradford City striker scored 49 goals across four Championship seasons with Huddersfield Town, and Villa will be wary of his newfound confidence, even if he starts on the bench.
Head-to-head
This will be the 58th meeting in all competitions between QPR and Aston Villa, the first coming in the FA Cup in January 1920. Villa won 2-1. QPR won the most recent encounter, running out 3-1 winners at Villa Park in the Championship last season.
QPR wins: 24 Draws: 13 Aston Villa wins: 21
Team News
There are no new injury concerns or suspensions for QPR. Nahki Wells will be hoping for a start after scoring from the bench against Sheffield Wednesday, but McClaren is likely to go with an unchanged side.
Injury report: @TammyAbraham has trained ahead of @QPR and will be available. Albert Adomah unlikely to make the game due to injury#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/vxFaXLyovk
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) October 25, 2018
John McGinn returns from suspension for Villa. Tammy Abraham has been passed fit despite a slight concern, but Albert Adomah is doubtful with an injury.
Predicted QPR XI: Lumley; Rangel, Leistner, Lynch, Bidwell; Luongo, Cameron; Wszolek, Eze, Freeman; Hemed.
Predicted Aston Villa XI: Nyland; Hutton, Tuanzebe, Chester, Taylor; Hourihane, Whelan, McGinn; Elmohamady, Abraham, Grealish.
Predictions & Betting Tips
1. Both teams to score @ 8/11
QPR’s fine clean sheet record is at risk of being put to an end by Villa, who have scored in all 14 of their Championship games this season. But the the confidence is flowing at QPR, and Villa will find it difficult to keep the hosts out if they play like they did against Sheffield Wednesday.
Tip: Both teams to score anytime @ 8/11 with William Hill – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (25/10/2018, 17:25)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Tomer Hemed to score anytime @ 15/8
Tomer Hemed has scored three goals in seven starts since joining QPR on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. The 31-year-old Israel international has been one of they key factors in QPR’s turnaround. If the hosts are to find a way through Villa, Hemed will probably have a say.
Tip: Tomer Hemed to score anytime @ 15/8 with William Hill – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (25/10/2018, 17:25)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
3. Tammy Abraham to score first @ 5/1
Prior to the defeat at Norwich, Tammy Abraham had scored in three successive matches for Villa. The on-loan Chelsea striker opened the scoring in two of those games, against Millwall and Swansea respectively. Having been passed fit for the QPR clash, Abraham could find the net first once again.
Tip: Tammy Abraham to score first @ 5-1 with William Hill – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (25/10/2018, 17:25)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
The post QPR vs Aston Villa Predictions & Match Preview appeared first on Squawka News.
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