MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 10:54:47| >> :60:2470:2470:
[monks data]
Cardiff City logo
Championship | Gameweek 24
Dec 26, 2022 at 5.15pm UK
Cardiff City Stadium
QPR logo

Cardiff
0 - 0
QPR


Wintle (32'), Romeo (85')
FT

Iroegbunam (4'), Laird (59'), Roberts (86')

Preview: Cardiff City vs. Queens Park Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Monday's Championship clash between Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Queens Park Rangers will be looking for back-to-back victories under their new management when they travel to face Cardiff City in the Championship on Boxing Day.

Neil Critchley commenced his reign at the West London club with a hard-fought victory away to Preston North End, and the R's now come up against a Cardiff side who have drawn successive games since returning from the World Cup break.


Match preview

Joe Ralls in action for Cardiff City on August 17, 2022© Reuters

Before the Championship season paused for an unprecedented break due to matters in Qatar, Cardiff City were failing to see any sort of improvement in form under new manager Mark Hudson, having lost six of their eight league fixtures in a run stretching back to October.

Since returning from the month-long hiatus, results have picked up slightly for the Welsh side, with a 2-2 draw at Stoke City being followed by a point against Blackpool at the Cardiff City Stadium last weekend.

Despite having the majority of the possession and clear-cut chances against the visiting Seasiders last time out, a second-half strike from Gary Madine cancelled out Kion Etete's first of the season, meaning both sides were forced to share the spoils.

That start against Blackpool was the Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate's first of the season, with the 21-year-old showing glimpses of the potent striker Cardiff desperately need after struggling offensively in the first half of this campaign.

The Bluebirds have managed to score just 20 times in 23 Championship fixtures, with only bottom-club Huddersfield Town possessing a worse attacking record as the second-tier season enters the dark and unforgiving winter months.

Queens Park Rangers celebrate scoring against Sheffield United on October 4, 2022.© Reuters

After a tumultuous month which saw the departure of the highly-rated Michael Beale and a run of four consecutive defeats, QPR regained their place in the playoffs after narrowly defeating Preston in Critchley's maiden outing as manager.

The R's have been known over the past few seasons for their attractive style of play, but it was a hard-earned clean sheet and a set-piece goal from Jimmy Dunne which secured all three points in Lancashire, a maximum that will go a long way in increasing the confidence within the camp.

As the former Blackpool boss applauded the travelling QPR fans at Deepdale after the full-time whistle, there was a sense of renewed hope despite the loss of Beale to Rangers earlier this month, with the aim of achieving a playoff finish for the first time in nine years still a distinct possibility.

QPR will be hoping to repeat their success in the reverse fixture earlier this season when they defeated the Welsh side 3-0 in front of their home faithful, although an 18th-minute red card from Cardiff's Jack Simpson that day really reduced the difficulty of collecting three points.

Within the space of four days over this festive period QPR face both Cardiff and Luton Town, a pair of fixtures that Critchley will be targeting for maximum points ahead of a tough assignment against high-flying Sheffield United in their first game of 2023.

Cardiff City Championship form:


Cardiff City form (all competitions):


Queens Park Rangers Championship form:


Queens Park Rangers form (all competitions):



Team News

Cardiff boss Hudson is hopeful of having Rubin Colwill available in the near future after the Welsh youngster netted in a development game recently on his return from a multitude of injury issues, with the 20-year-old having not started a match for the first team since August.

Full-back Joel Bagan has been the recipient of some constructive criticism in the build up to this match, with Hudson stating the 20-year-old needs to demand more of himself to earn a place in the side ahead of less natural options at left-back such as Callum O'Dowda and Niels Nkounkou.

QPR have received a significant boost ahead of this clash with midfielder Ilias Chair back from World Cup duty with Morocco and available for selection on Monday evening.

Critchley is set to be unable to call on the services of Leon Balogun and Stefan Johansen in South Wales, with the both players a doubt for this fixture after missing last weekend's victory at Preston due to their respective knocks.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Allsopp; Romeo, Ng, Kipre, Nkounkou; Ralls, Wintle, Harris, Robinson, O'Dowda; Etete

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Laird, Dunne, Clarke-Salter, Paal; Field, Dozzell, Iroegbunam; Chair, Willock, Dykes


SM words green background

We say: Cardiff City 1-2 Queens Park Rangers

Cardiff have halted a concerning run of defeats with two consecutive draws but are still placed precariously in the league standings ahead of this Boxing Day clash.

QPR will be energised after such an important victory against Preston and with the return of playmaker Chair imminent, Critchley should be able to continue his perfect start to life as R's boss in Wales on Monday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:502657:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect13218:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Cardiff vs QPR

Cardiff City
20.5%
Draw
26.0%
Queens Park Rangers
53.4%
73
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Blackpool manager Neil Critchley celebrates after the match on March 12, 2022
Read Next:
QPR appoint Neil Critchley as new head coach
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland139222391429
2Leeds UnitedLeeds137512281426
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd138321661025
4Burnley136521761123
5Watford137152221122
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom13562148621
7Millwall135441612419
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn135441614219
9Bristol City134721717019
10Norwich CityNorwich134632318518
11Middlesbrough135351415-118
12Swansea CitySwansea13445109116
13Coventry CityCoventry134361717015
14Derby CountyDerby134361617-115
15Hull City133641517-215
16Stoke CityStoke134361518-315
17Cardiff CityCardiff134361319-615
18Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds134361524-915
19Oxford UnitedOxford Utd133551617-114
20Preston North EndPreston133551420-614
21Luton TownLuton133371521-612
22Plymouth ArgylePlymouth133371325-1212
23Queens Park RangersQPR131751119-810
24Portsmouth131661326-139


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!