QPR vs Middlesbrough - Preview

QPR vs Middlesbrough predictions and football betting tips for this Friday night fixture in the Championship – kick-off time 7.45pm.

The Championship is back and we’ve picked out the best three bets for the match from Loftus Road on Friday night. Middlesbrough’s promotion campaign got back on track with a last gasp win against Hull two weeks ago. They travel to West London on Wednesday looking to make ground on leaders Burnley.

QPR vs Middlesbrough Preview

The fall-out of early March has been put behind them as Middlesbrough went into the International break with a vital three points against promotion rivals Hull. Aitor Karanka pledged his future to the club after rumours of his departure swirled around the media. It appears they’ve let bygones be bygones but can these fractious relationships be mended until the end of the season.

The Teessiders have a promotion campaign to crack on with and their inconsistency has let Brighton sneak into 2nd place behind leaders Burnley. They will not want to endure another play-off campaign after their Wembley heartbreak at the hands of Norwich last season.

They have one of the most powerful and undoubtedly expensively assembled squad in the Championship, but they’ve not been scoring enough goals. It was David Nugent’s 90th minute winner which lifted spirits at the Riverside a fortnight ago and the togetherness of the players was obvious in the celebrations.

Whilst Middlesbrough are looking to find a way out of the division, QPR will have to settle for another season of Championship life as they remain 11 points adrift of the play-offs. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is building his squad slowly though and has some exciting prospects for the future. £4m man Connor Washington scored a superb goal for Northern Ireland whilst on International Duty and they’ll be hoping he returns full of confidence.

For some reason, we are constantly reminded of his Royal Mail past, but the ‘former postman’ hasn’t hit the ground running for Rangers, but is a talented enough player to find form in the Championship and I’ve no doubt, he will give the Boro defence something to think about.

QPR’s home form is decent and they have the 8th best record on their own patch. This will be far from easy for Middlesbrough against a side who have scored seven and not conceded in their last three home matches. It’s just three defeats here all season and they will be a threat throughout.

It’s a tough April for Middlesbrough with fixtures coming thick and fast before the finale against Brighton at the start of May. This would be a huge three points before any of the other teams have kicked a ball. For the hosts, it would move them above 10th placed Preston and make it four home wins in a row.

QPR vs Middlesbrough Line-up Team News

For QPR, Grant Hall remains on the sidelines. The on loan defender has impressed this season, but injured himself against MK Dons earlier in the month and is out until at least the second week of April. The veteran Clint Hill has stepped in and done an admiral job so far.

Ben Gladwin has returned from his loan spell, but JFH has confirmed he is likely to use the youngster next season.

With a number of players away on International Duty for both sides, the managers will assess the fitness before this fixture and hope none of their players have picked up any knocks. 

The mysterious injury which has kept Daniel Ayala out of action has abated and he is available for this fixture. The Spaniard has been missed and has been hugely effective this season when partnering Ben Gibson at the heart of the defence. With a fully fit back four, Boro are likely to preserve their excellent defensive record this season.

QPR v Middlesbrough Predictions

It’s a tough one to call as QPR have been impressive here recently and it’s difficult to assess whether Middlesbrough can regain that early season mojo. Having kept three consecutive clean sheets in front of their own fans and losing just three times here all season, I can’t back an away win.

The Middlesbrough line up is often a little unpredictable and it’s hard to pick a definite starter under Aitor Karanka. We’re going to pick a player for the home side instead and Tjarron Chery often impresses during home matches. The pacy wide man has a knack of scoring late on in games and we’re hoping he can repeat that trick here for Friday night’s anytime goalscorer tip. My third QPR v Middlesbrough prediction is for Tjarron Chery to score anytime. He can be backed at 3/1 with Paddy Power.

QPR vs Middlesbrough Betting Tips

QPR to win (draw no bet) – get the best odds 11/8 with Sky Bet.

Half-time score 0-0 – get the best odds 6/4 with Paddy Power.

Tjarron Chery to score anytime – get the best odds 3/1 with Paddy Power.

Open a Paddy Power account and bet £10 on any of our football tips, win or lose you’ll get a £30 free bet added to your account to spend this weekend. £10 on Chery to score anytime wins £40, plus a £30 free bet win or lose.