The Championship is back and on Saturday afternoon, Norwich host QPR. For the home side, the break came at the wrong time, on the back of a much needed win, while QPR won't have minded it too much, giving them time to reflect on a bad run, and work out how they are going to escape the relegation zone.
Norwich Form GuideDown in 16th position with 20 points from their first 16 games, Norwich will be disappointed with the season so far, and I think they could be doing a lot better. I don't think they're quite good enough to push for promotion, but mid table should be where they sit, and will be something they are aiming for.
A 3-2 win away at Cardiff came before the break, and it was a timely win. Before that, they'd gone six games without a win, five losses and one draw in that period, one they will not want to go back to now. This home game, against a side struggling near the bottom of the table, is the perfect welcome back and a chance to win two in a row.
QPR Form GuideFor the past couple of seasons, QPR have been edging closer and closer to the relegation zone, narrowly avoiding the drop and going into the new season, I thought this may be there year. It could well be, if their start is anything to go by, down in 23rd, two wins from 16, and already five points away from safety. It looks a long road out for them.
You have to go back to September 2nd to find the last time they won a game, a 2-0 away win at Middlesbrough, a team that were really struggling back then. They've drawn their last two, 1-1 away at struggling Rotherham and 0-0 at home to mid table Bristol City. Before those two draws, they lost six in a row.
Match PredictionI think there's a bit more to come from Norwich, and wouldn't be surprised if they improved. But I don't think they'll need to improve here to get the three points. QPR are in deep trouble, and it's a home win on Saturday for me, with Norwich giving QPR even more troubles to think about.