Queens Park Rangers could move back into third in the Championship table with a win over relegation-threatened Yeovil Town at Loftus Road on Saturday.

The Hoops have drifted out of the automatic promotion picture following a dreadful run of form that has seen them pick up just one win in their last seven matches.

Manager Harry Redknapp will have been hopeful that last Saturday's 2-0 win over Birmingham City was a turning point for his side, but those hopes were quashed by their defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday.

They now sit fourth in the table and are a full 10 points behind second-placed Burnley, although they do have the luxury of a game in hand over both the Clarets and third-placed Derby County.

With a hungry chasing pack for the playoffs steadily picking up points themselves, QPR will need to return to winning ways sooner rather than later if they are to avoid a battle to stay in the top six.

Despite their recent dip in form, they still boast the joint-best defensive record in the league having conceded just 28 goals in their 34 games.

Redknapp's side are without a win in their last three matches at Loftus Road, but their home form this season has generally been good, with just two defeats in front of their own fans.

They will once again be without the injured Charlie Austin and Matthew Phillips, but Kevin Doyle is hoping to return to fitness in time for the match.

At the other end of the table, Yeovil's mini-revival was halted in its tracks by a 1-0 home defeat to Ipswich Town on Tuesday, ending a run of five games without losing.

The Glovers remain in the relegation zone but are now just two points from safety with a game in hand over 21st-placed Millwall.

However, their destiny is out of their control as Charlton, who currently prop up the table, have three games in hand over the other two teams in the bottom three and four games in hand over Millwall.

Gary Johnson's side have shown definite signs of improvement in recent weeks, though, and a return of just two goals conceded in their last five is the sort of form that could keep them in the division.

A similar upturn in fortunes on the road would be a timely boost for Yeovil as they have won just one of their last eight away matches in all competitions.

They will be without the suspended Joe Ralls for Saturday's match, but Ishmael Miller and James Hayter are both expected to start despite coming off at half time during Tuesday's defeat to Ipswich.

Recent form

QPR: LLLDWL

Yeovil: DDWDWL

Possible starting lineups

QPR: Green; Onuoha, Dunne, Hill, Assou-Ekotto; Barton, Jenas; Hoilett, Morrison, Traore; Doyle

Yeovil: Stech; Ayling, Webster, Duffy, McAllister; Lawrence, Grant, Palazuelos, Edwards; Miller; Hayter

Sports Mole says: 1-0

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