Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City meet at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon with both clubs struggling to remain in the top half of the Championship standings.
Although the visitors have won two of their last three games, they only sit marginally ahead of their hosts who are without a victory in four league outings.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Neil Critchley begun his QPR reign with a narrow success at Preston North End, he would have had high hopes of building on the strong work undertaken by previous incumbent Michael Beale.
However, just three points have been collected from the following four fixtures, the one defeat during that time coming by a 3-0 scoreline at home to Luton Town.
A 2-1 loss at Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup third round was also posted during that period, but positives can be taken from the manner of the 2-2 draw at Reading last time out.
Trailing 2-0 at half time, the Hoops rallied to earn a share of the spoils, Tyler Roberts netting both of the goals in the 60th and 88th minutes respectively.
Nevertheless, now sitting four points adrift of the playoffs, Critchley knows that he needs to get a second win of his stint on the board as soon as possible if QPR are to avoid the threat of their season beginning to peter out.
© Reuters
Similar can be said for Swansea who have just two wins on their record from 13 outings, both of which have come since December 30.
Those triumphs, against Watford and Sunderland respectively, have ensured that Russell Martin and his side can still look to gatecrash the top six if they can maintain their recent form in the league.
That said, they will still need to bounce back from the disappointment of losing to Bristol City in the FA Cup, succumbing during extra time in the midweek replay.
With Birmingham City and Blackpool representing their next two home fixtures, Martin will be optimistic of Swansea moving into the top 10 over the coming weeks.
However, with just four second-tier away wins in 14 attempts, the Welsh outfit need to find an extra gear for meetings at QPR and Sheffield United.
Team News
© Reuters
Critchley will look to make minimal changes to his QPR side as he looks to build on last week's second-half performance at Reading.
Recent arrival Jamal Lowe was the solitary player introduced ahead of the comeback, supplying the assist for the first goal, and the Bournemouth loanee may get the nod over Chris Willock.
Jake Clarke-Salter is also an option at centre-back having recently returned to the squad.
Having made changes for the FA Cup on Tuesday night, Martin is likely to revert back to the team which started the 3-1 victory at Sunderland.
Olivier Ntcham and Luke Cundle are both options in central midfield or a creative role if Martin wants a different setup at Loftus Road.
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Laird, Dickie, Dunne, Paal; Iroegbunam, Field; Roberts, Chair, Lowe; Dykes
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Benda; Latibeaudiere, Cabango, Darling, Manning; Grimes, Allen; Cooper, Fulton, Cullen; Piroe
We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Swansea City
With both teams in a position where defeat would leave them well off the pace in the promotion hunt, we expect a tense encounter in West London. With that in mind, a low-scoring draw could play out, one which may not necessarily suit either side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
