This is one of the hottest matches of the weekend with both of these clubs right up there. QPR have led the table for a while, but Leeds are one of the teams on the prowl and Simon Grayson’s side are now just five points away as they sit in 4th spot. What’s more, QPR come into this game on the back of their first defeat of the season so it’ll certainly be interesting to see how they respond.
The size and setup at Leeds meant that relegation was never something talked about at Elland Road, even if the club have only just come up from League One. However, even the most optimistic of United supporters, and there are quite a few, wouldn’t have imagined the success the club are currently enjoying. Having accumulated thirty five points from their opening games, the club are firmly in the playoffs and now trail 2nd place Cardiff by only two points. The main reason for their success is recent form and since losing 4-0 at home to Cardiff at the end of October, the Whites have been unbeaten and have won five of their last eight games.
QPR meanwhile enter this game on the back of their first defeat of the season. The R’s were truly outplayed as they went down 3-1 at home to Watford last week and that meant that their lead at the top of the table was cut to four points. It’s also allowed other teams, such as Leeds, to catch up and it’s vital now that Neil Warnock’s men respond and put that defeat behind them. However, Warnock’s men still hold many other records having not yet lost on the road and also by having the best defence in the division, with just twelve conceded so far. However, most of their wins away from home have been against sides struggling at the bottom so it’ll be interesting to see how they cope with this fixture.
As for team news, there’s just one worry for Simon Grayson as Andy O’Brien struggles with a thigh problem. However, should O’Brien not pull through, the Whites have a readymade replacement in Neill Collins. Similarly, QPR have very little to report. Patrick Agyemang is struggling with a thigh problem but Neil Warnock is hopeful of starting Rob Hulse, who was forced to miss the last game through illness.
QPR may be unbeaten on the road and may hold all sorts of records, but their form over the past month or two hasn’t been all that convincing and the R’s haven’t recorded too many wins. Leeds on the other hand seem extremely competent at the moment and with the Whites holding the home advantage, we’ll predict a win for the Elland Road outfit in this one
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