Friday sees the return of the Championship after the international break, and the first of two games for teams to play this weekend. The fight at the bottom continues, and we've got a big game as part of that on Friday, with QPR hosting Birmingham, both sides are directly above the relegation zone as we begin the weekend, in 20th and 21st.
QPR Form GuideOf the teams in the fight right now, at the start of the season, QPR were the one I was happy to pin down as a side that really were in trouble. They've shown why, but at the minute, they are on the outside and safe, with 40 points, though that's just one above Huddersfield and two above Sheffield Wednesday, two sides in the relegation zone trying to chase them down.
Points are crucial, and QPR have lost just one of their last five games, so they'll be pleased with that. Two wins and two draws have seen QPR rise, they come here on the back of a 0-0 draw away at Sunderland, while they've also drawn at home to West Brom. Wins have been good, a 2-1 shock win away at title chasing Leicester, and a home win over bottom club Rotherham.
Birmingham Form GuideBirmingham are strangely on their fourth manager of the season, which is probably why it is no surprise to see them struggling. The club has been in constant chaos, no settled plan, and no real direction. They're in 21st in the standings, outside of the relegation zone, but only on goal difference, they're tied on points with Huddersfield, who are inside, and just one above Sheffield Wednesday.
To make matters worse, they come here without a win from their last six, and after losing their last three. In their final game before the international break, they lost 1-0 at home to Watford, before that, they lost 1-0 at home to Middlesbrough. A further 1-0 defeat at Millwall rounds off their run, three games, three losses and no goals.
Match PredictionThere's not too much between these, just one point in the standings, but a lot when you look at current form and general direction. I fear for Birmingham, and I am taking QPR to take a massive three points here.