QPR vs Cardiff prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-10-18 18:45.
Though still a top-six side going into this midweek round of Championship matches, Queens Park Rangers were dealt a sharp reality check on Saturday, going down 3-1 to Luton. Boss Michael Beale particularly rued the loss of Leon Balogun through injury as a factor, and with forced rotation in the right-back position, there seems to be a potential area for opponents Cardiff to exploit.
However, a return to home turf where QPR are proudly unbeaten in four (W2, D2) should boost morale. That run includes four points gained after conceding first, though the proverbial shoe was on the other foot in last season’s corresponding fixture (L 1-2), with QPR letting a half-time lead slip in what was their seventh straight home H2H to see both teams score.
Cardiff also tasted the bitter pill of defeat on Saturday, with a home loss to basement club Coventry providing some degree of humiliation. However, stand-in boss Mark Hudson was angered for different reasons after the first loss of his caretaker tenure, stating his disagreement with the officials’ decision to rule out a legitimate-looking equaliser for offside.
With Cardiff drawing none of their last five away games (W2, L3), there is added emphasis to fall on the right side of the result here with a South Wales derby against Swansea on the horizon at the weekend. Given that both those away wins saw the Bluebirds’ opener arrive inside ten minutes, the travelling contingent will be eager to see a quick start, especially with no points yet recovered from away games where Cardiff have conceded first this season.
Players to watch: A Lyndon Dykes double gave QPR a comeback win in their last home outing, and all but the most recent of his previous seven goals at Loftus Road have come via his head. Meanwhile, Callum Robinson was the scorer of Cardiff’s disallowed goal against Coventry, and he has opened the scoring with three of his last five goals.
Hot stat: QPR are one of two remaining sides yet to concede inside the first 15 minutes of league play this season.