QPR vs Norwich prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-02-09 15:00.
A three game unbeaten run (W2, D1) for only the second time this season has given Queens Park Rangers hope of avoiding relegation. The London outfit, who haven’t played in the third-tier for twenty years, remain in the Championship relegation zone, but they moved to within three points of safety following a 2-1 victory at Blackburn in their most recent fixture.
A lot of credit for the turnaround in form has to go to manager Martà Cifuentes, under whom the R’s have registered five of their seven league wins this season, despite the 41-year old only taking the reins in late October. Results at Loftus Road remain a concern though, as QPR have the worst home record in the division, picking up only 13 of an available 45 points (W3, D4, L8).
Supporters might fear another loss may be chalked up in this fixture, given opponents Norwich registered a third win in their last four league outings (L1) by coming from behind to beat Coventry 2-1 last time out. That moved the Canaries to within a point of the play-off places, a far cry from their turbulent start to the season that saw boss David Wagner’s job come under serious pressure.
Few would back against Wagner’s side breaking into the play-offs now though, especially as they have finished third or higher in four of their last seven seasons in the second-tier. History suggests they should be confident of further enhancing their prospects of a return to the Premier League in this game too, given they have only lost two of the last 19 H2Hs (W11, D6).
Key battle: Six of Ilias Chair’s last seven goals for QPR have served as the first or last of the game. Looking to thwart him will be Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn, who has kept clean sheets in three of his five H2Hs (W3, D1, L1), including a 1-0 Carabao Cup win at Loftus Road in August.
Hot stat: Eight of QPR’s 15 goals on home soil this season have been scored from the 76th minute onwards.