QPR vs Ipswich prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-08-18 14:00.
QPR bounced back from a 4-0 thrashing on matchday one to win 2-1 at Cardiff City last Saturday to finally provide some cheer to the despairing Râs faithful after a distressing financial situation off the field. The grim relegation projections continue to loiter, and although the win at Cardiff may not have been pretty, manager Gareth Ainsworth proclaimed he has âto get the best out of the playersâ heâs got at the club.
More of the same will be Ainsworthâs instructions as they head back home after two away league games to start the campaign, but Loftus Road hasnât been a happy hunting ground of late. QPR had the joint-second worst points tally in home matches last season (23), but a record of just one defeat across their last eight home league openers (W4, D3) should boost confidence they can get their home campaign off to a solid start this time around.
This is Ipswich Townâs first H2H meeting since December 2018, and despite the Tractor Boys being winless across five H2Hs (W4, D1), they appear well-placed to halt that run here. The newly promoted side are already making the right noises after three wins on the spin, a run bookended by a 2-0 win against Stoke City last weekend. That result was labelled âan excellent performance in so many different waysâ by boss Kieran McKenna, although he was also quick to hint âthere are areas to improve.â
The visitors are motoring along with an unbeaten 21-game run in league competition (W16, D5) and are now on the periphery of becoming the first promoted side since 2011/12 to start a Championship campaign with three wins. That would require Ipswich to do something they havenât done since February 2010 by winning an away H2H, with the Tractor Boys losing each of their last six league visits to QPR.
Key battle: Last weekend, Sinclair Armstrong followed up scoring his first senior goal for QPR with an assist, leading to coach Ainsworth calling him âa threat to any defence.â Ipswich âkeeper VĂĄclav HladkĂœ will be out to thwart him, and two yellow cards from as many Championship appearances this term show heâs happy to push the refereeâs boundaries.
Hot stat: Six of QPRâs last seven home Championship games have seen the match opener arrive before half-time.