QPR vs Watford prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-01-13 12:00.
“Unacceptable” was the verdict of QPR boss Martà Cifuentes when asked about his side’s inability to defend set pieces on New Year’s Day after losing at home to Cardiff, a result which made it six league games without a win (D2, L4). Subsequently rooted in the relegation zone and four points off safety ahead of the round, the Hoops went on to let two more in from corners in the FA Cup last weekend in a 3-2 home loss to Bournemouth, and that’s now nine of 13 conceded in the Cifuentes era that have come from set pieces, a damning statistic.
The picture isn’t exactly rosy at the other end of the pitch either, where the Hoops have failed to score in 12 of their 26 Championship games so far this season. No team has failed to find the back of the net more often ahead of the round, with the one consolation strike they managed against Cardiff bringing their first goal in five outings.
Sunday’s opponents Watford are winless in three league games themselves (D2, L1), though they remain almost within touching distance of the play-off spots. Hinting their problem lies in defence, Valérien Ismaël’s side haven’t failed to score in any of their last nine league games, and boast one of the more potent attacks in the division, with only five clubs having netted more to this point.
Indeed, since the start of December, the Hornets have scored four more away goals than any other Championship side (12). They now go in search of what would be a third win in four on the road as they look to complete a league double over QPR for the first time since the 2005/06 season, a campaign which saw them win promotion.
Key battle: QPR goalkeeper Asmir Begović has kept just two clean sheets in nine games against Watford, conceding 16 goals including four this term on the opening day. Midfielder Jake Livermore has been booked in both of the Hornets’ last two league games, with each card coming between the 40th minute and half-time.
Hot stat: Watford have won just three of their last 27 league visits to Loftus Road (D13, L11), dating all the way back to May 1963.