Queens Park Rangers will be looking to secure a vital three points in their fight for survival when they host Coventry City at Loftus Road in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The R's ended a worrying run of defeats with a point at West Bromwich Albion last time out, while Coventry recorded a second-straight draw by earning a point against Watford.

Match preview

QPR brought a welcome end to their four-match losing streak on Easter Monday, with goals from Lyndon Dykes and Chris Martin securing a 2-2 draw with Carlos Corberan's Baggies at The Hawthorns.

Having conceded two goals inside 15 minutes in the Black Country, the 1,000-strong contingent of R's faithful in the crowd would have assumed it was set to be another gruelling afternoon following their side, but a physical performance from their men resulted in otherwise.

Last time out was the first time since the middle of January that Gareth Ainsworth's men have scored more than one goal in a game - although QPR's second was largely down to a goalkeeper error from Josh Griffiths in the Albion net.

The West London club currently sit 20th in the Championship standings with just five matches left to play, two points above a 22nd-placed Reading side, who have recently sacked manager Paul Ince.

The demise of QPR this season has been rather remarkable, and while some clubs aim for automatic promotion or a place in the top six, Ainsworth's side will be battling to avoid League One football next campaign.

Coventry's late assault on the playoff places hit another stumbling block on Monday afternoon as they could only take a share of the points against Chris Wilder's Watford at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

First-half goals from Joao Pedro and Imran Louza put the visiting Hornets into a commanding lead at half time in the West Midlands, but strikes after the break from Ben Sheaf and Matt Godden ensured Coventry earned a reward for their efforts.

The Sky Blues have only lost once since February, however - more tellingly for their promotion ambitions - have won just one of their last six Championship matches; a record that is not allowing them to breach the top six just yet.

Mark Robins's men are currently ninth in the second-tier standings, three points behind sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers - although the Lancashire club have played a game fewer.

Due to other playoff challengers failing to win on Easter Monday, Coventry still find themselves with a reasonable chance of a top-six finish heading into the final five fixtures of the season, but they will need to start turning draws into wins if they are to reach the playoffs.

Team News

QPR's medical room welcomed another arrival after the draw at West Brom, with midfielder Luke Amos set to be out until late April after picking up a knock at The Hawthorns.

A longer-term absentee for the R's is set to be Osman Kakay - the 25-year-old has not featured since before the international break, with Albert Adomah operating at right-wing-back last time out.

Jake Clarke-Salter suffered a serious calf injury in February and is not expected back until later this month, leaving Jimmy Dunne, Leon Balogun and Rob Dickie as Ainsworth's preferred central-defensive trio.

Coventry have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday's trip to Loftus Road, although Callum O'Hare and Fabio Tavares remain sidelined due to cruciate ligament and Achilles tendon injuries respectively.

The absence of Kasey Palmer has left an even deeper hole in the Sky Blues' attacking midfield - Robins has recently opted for a flat three in the engine room consisting of Gustavo Hamer, Josh Eccles and Sheaf.

Liam Kelly has endured an injury-riddled last year for the West Midlands outfit - the Scotsman is expected to be back in action later this month following a leg issue.

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Dunne, Dickie, Balogun; Adomah, Field, Dozzell, Chair, Paal; Martin, Dykes

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; McNally, McFadzean, Doyle; Norton-Cuffy, Hamer, Sheaf, Eccles, Wilson-Esbrand; Gyokeres, Godden

We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-3 Coventry City

QPR produced a defiant display to complete their comeback at the home of West Brom on Monday and will take confidence from that point into their meeting with Coventry on Saturday.

The Sky Blues have shown their ability to blow struggling sides away in recent months, and we are expecting Robins's men to outscore their hosts in this one.


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