Three points above the relegation zone with three games to play, QPR are right in the mix and need more points on the board. They welcome Preston on Saturday to Loftus Road, a side who were in the playoff race a few weeks back, but are now sitting in the middle of the table with nothing to really play for.
QPR Form GuideI do think QPR will get safe this season, even though I had them down as a relegation pick before the start of the season. But they've been a little better than I expected, and while I still don't think they're a very good side, I do think they are slightly better than those who are below them.
But they do come here without a win in their last three games, which has slowed their push for safety. They lost 3-0 at Hull last weekend, have also lost 2-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday recently. A draw 1-1 at Plymouth is the only recent point they've taken, and I think of the three games remaining, this is the easiest of them.
Preston Form GuideGo back a couple of weeks and a 1-0 loss against Norwich was really the end of the playoff push for Preston, and it told on the players after that game, who looked beaten. It was no surprise to see them lose heavily last weekend on the back of that, they lost 3-0 away at Southampton, and it's not just a case of cruising towards the end of the season with nothing much to play for.
The top half looks likely, it would take quite a dip for them to drop out of the top 12 now, and that would have been a realistic aim at the start of the season, and also where I had them placed in the standings. Though what they will face here, and in other final games, is teams that have way more at stake, and more desire to win.
Match PredictionI am going to side with QPR to win this game, and get three points which I think will keep them safe for another season in the Championship. Preston are out of the playoffs and without the hunger that QPR have, this will be tough, so I am taking the home team.