QPR welcome Sheffield United to Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in Friday Night Football from the Sky Bet Championship.
Victory could see QPR climb as high as ninth depending on their victory margin and keep their faint play-off hopes alive, whereas sixth-placed Sheffield Utd can climb to fifth if win by two goals or more.
Team News
Yoann Barbet is a doubt for QPR as he faces a late fitness test following a knee injury.
David Marshall, Rob Dickie, Lee Wallace, Chris Willock (all hamstring), Seny Dieng (thigh), Moses Odubajo (calf), Jordan Archer (shoulder) and Joe Walsh (hand) are definitely ruled out.
Sheffield Utd could welcome George Baldock back from a muscle injury which forced him to miss last weekend’s win over Cardiff.
Jack O’Connell, Charlie Goode, Jayden Bogle (all knee), Oli McBurnie (foot), David McGoldrick (thigh) and Rhian Brewster (hamstring) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- QPR have won just one of their last five meetings against Sheffield Utd (W1, L4).
- Sheffield Utd have won just one of their last seven league visits to QPR (W1, D3, L3).
- QPR have scored in each of their last four league matches at home to Sheffield Utd.
- Mark Warburton’s Hoops this season have scored three of their four penalty kicks.
- Billy Sharp has been involved in 21 league goals for Sheffield Utd this season, having netted 14 goals and provided seven assists in 39 appearances.
Prediction
With their play-off chances all but mathematically over given their poor goal difference, it is interesting how QPR approach this game because they could chase a win to keep their faint hopes alive and place pressure on those above them who don’t play until Saturday.
Mark Warburton’s Hoops however will certainly want to give their manager a great home send-off following his decision to leave at end of this season, yet huge improvement will be needed after failing to register a single shot on target in their defeat at Stoke last weekend.
Sheffield Utd meanwhile know that a win would put sixth and the last play-off place in their own hands heading into the final day of the season, yet found themselves in a frustrating scrap against Cardiff last Saturday where clinical finishing proved crucial in a difficult match.
I therefore do expect a stronger attacking display from the Blades here but if QPR can get stuck in defensively and make life difficult, this could get interesting given Sheffield Utd’s poor form in West London.
Prediction: QPR 1-1 Sheffield United
Result: QPR 1-3 Sheffield United
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