Blackburn vs QPR prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-02-02 15:00.
The FA Cup continued to be a welcome distraction for Blackburn Rovers on Monday, as they came from a goal down to comfortably see off fourth-tier Wrexham. Transferring that feel-good factor into the league is what boss Jon Dahl Tomasson is craving, as his side are without a win in seven Championship matches (D2, L5) stretching back to mid-December.
A defensive injury crisis has led to some calamitous performances at the back in recent weeks, illustrated by Rovers conceding 25 goals in their last ten league matches! Tomasson will hope new centre-backs Connor O’Riordan and Kyle McFadzean can help shore up their backline as they go in search of a seventh consecutive home win over upcoming opponents Queens Park Rangers.
The Rs start this round three points adrift of safety, but have momentum on their side after a 95th-minute equaliser against relegation rivals Huddersfield on Sunday made it two matches unbeaten (W1, D1). Curiously, this will be their first away game of 2024 after five consecutive home matches prior, but as QPR have won just one of their last ten league road trips (D3, L6), they’re unlikely to be relishing it.
Ewood Park is far from the ideal destination either, as the R’s haven’t won a H2H in league action there since October 1999 (D2, L8 since). Manager Martà Cifuentes will be hoping to exploit Blackburn’s defensive woes in search of ending that streak, but his side remain one of the poorest outfits in the division going forward, netting just 25 times in their 29 matches.
Players to watch: Sammie Szmodics scored a first-half brace in Blackburn’s FA Cup win on Monday, but his last four league goals at this venue have come after the break. Talisman Ilias Chair has directly contributed to goals in QPR’s last two games, while he was the match-winner the last time the R’s won a H2H.
Hot stat: Four of the last six H2Hs at this venue have ended 1-0.