West Brom vs QPR prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-04-09 14:00.
A third straight winless outing (D2, L1) leaves West Bromâs faint hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs in serious jeopardy. The Baggies were beaten 3-1 by Rotherham on Good Friday to leave them five points adrift of the top-six, a gap that looks increasingly insurmountable as the weeks go by.
Boss Carlos CorberĂĄn admitted that Rotherham âwere the better teamâ as his team suffered away day misery, but the same troubles havenât blighted them on home soil. Indeed, the Baggies are unbeaten in 11 Championship matches at the Hawthorns (W9, D2), remarkably conceding just one goal in that run! Only Burnley and Middlesbrough boast a better home defensive record across the season, so this is a fixture West Brom will surely be targeting to reignite their promotion bid.
The quality of their opponents is another boost, with Queens Park Rangers in the midst of a truly wretched vein of form. The Râs have won just two of their last 24 league games (D6, L16), a run thatâs seen hopes of returning to the Premier League translate into fear of the drop. That nightmare is very real at present, with a 2-0 defeat to Preston leaving Gareth Ainsworthâs men just a point clear of safety.
Ainsworth has failed to oversee a revival since taking the reins, earning just three points from his seven matches at the helm (W1, L6). With morale seemingly at an all-time low, spirits are unlikely to be lifted by a tough away assignment, as QPR have lost four consecutive road trips and conceded 13 goals in the process. Their leaky defence isnât limited to their travels though, with only Blackpool conceding more Championship goals than the Hoopsâ 62.
Players to watch: Baggies midfielder John Swift usually strikes early, with each of his last four goals serving as first half match openers. Looking to end his sideâs three-game scoring drought could be Chris Martin, but heâs never managed a goal in eight previous attempts against West Brom (W2, D1, L5).
Hot stat: QPR have led at half-time in just two of their 20 Championship away games this term (HT: D7, L11).