Two of the Championship’s current top four meet at Loftus Road this evening when QPR host Reading in what promises to be a fascinating second-tier tussle. A victory for the Royals would put them top of the league ahead of the weekend’s action, however, in-form Rangers have won three of their last four assignments and will be tough to topple.
We’ve compiled a stats pack for the contest below which features key info on shots, shots on target, cards, corners, xG and more. All of our data can be used to give you some ideas for your bet builders this evening. If you want to make the best use of the stats, give my Stats Pack Guide a read before you start.
Predicted Lineups
Chris Willock and Taylor Richards are both out injured for QPR, though manager Michael Beale has a strong squad to choose from elsewhere.
Beale favours a 4-3-3 system with Rangers, so expect to see the same setup against Reading this evening.
Naby Sarr, Abdul Rahman Baba, Shane Long, Liam Moore, Scott Dann and Femi Azeez are all listed as absent for Reading ahead of this evening’s clash.
Paul Ince seems to have settled on a 3-5-2 formation and Reading should be deployed in that shape at Loftus Road.
Team Stats
QPR have been winning 1.75 points per game this season in the Championship, though many of their matches have been touch and go with seven of their 12 fixtures decided by single-goal margins either way.
Rangers’ xG for (1.46) and against (1.47) figures p/90 have been virtually identical, while their shots (12.33) and shots against (11.83) numbers per 90 minutes have also been similar.
Reading are the second-lowest scoring team in the Championship’s current top ten and their xG for (0.95 p/90) figure for the campaign is remarkably low.
The Royals have managed to muster just 3.00 shots on target per 90 and they’ve notched one or fewer goals in eight of their 12 Championship fixtures since the summer.
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Lyndon Dykes (2.45 p/90), Ilias Chair (2.66) and Tyler Roberts (3.16) are all worth watching closely in the shots market this evening, while flying wingback Ethan Laird (1.00) – who is on loan from Manchester United – could be a decent option at longer odds to make an impact.
Scottish international Dykes has been Rangers’ most reliable performer in terms of accuracy (1.16 SOT p/90).
Reading have been light on threat in the final third this season, despite a promising set of results, and few of their players have made much of a splash from an attacking perspective.
Junior Hoilett (1.31 shots per 90), Lucas Joao (1.01) and Tom Ince (1.25) have been the standouts, though pickings in this department are relatively slim. Midfielder Jeff Hendrick did rack up four attempts in The Royals’ last fixture against Norwich, however, and his prices might be worth a glance this evening.
Player Goals and Assists
Chris Willock has hit six goals in nine Championship appearances this season and his absence this evening is a big blow to Rangers’ chances. Belgian Ilias Chair has chipped in with eight goal contributions (3G, 5A) in 12 matches.
Ethan Laird has claimed two assists from right back and the 21-year-old set up the winning goal for QPR in their 1-0 victory at Sheffield United on Tuesday.
Lucas Joao is Reading’s top scorer with three goals, though two of his efforts came in one game against Stoke and he hasn’t notched since his brace against the Potters on September 4th.
Tom Ince has provided four goal contributions (2G, 2A) this season, three of which were supplied when the 30-year-old played a deeper role. Ince managed to claim just one assist in six games when deployed as an attacker.
QPR Cards
Sam Field (1.10 fouls p/90) is tasked with breaking up play in midfield and he has picked up two yellow for his trouble this term. His partner in the centre of the pitch, Andre Dozzell, has also been carded twice.
Centre-half Leon Balogun has made just five appearances in the Championship, though the 34-year-old was booked in two of them and he is worth watching closely this evening.
Lucas Joao (fouled 2.20 times p/90) is Reading’s main man up front and he should draw plenty of attention from the physical presence of QPR’s Leon Balogun at Loftus Road.
Tom Ince (fouled 1.75 times per 90) is the Royals’ danger man in midfield and the 30-year-old is likely to have his runs tracked and checked by Sam Field.
Nesta Guinness-Walker (fouled 1.23 times p/90) provides thrust down the Reading left, though he faces a passive defender in Ethan Laird this evening. Instead, watch out for in-form Jeff Hendrick who will oppose Andre Dozzell in midfield. Dozzell is prone to committing a foul or two.
Match-Ups to watch
Sam Field vs Tom Ince
Leon Balogun vs Lucas Joao
Andre Dozzell vs Jeff Hendrick
Reading Cards
Junior Hoilett (three) has been carded more often than any of his Reading teammates in the Championship this term, though holding midfielder Mamadou Loum (2.24 fouls p/90) has been the Royals’ most prolific fouler.
Centre-halves Sam Hutchinson and Thomas Holmes have also been cautioned twice each so far. Both Hutchinson and Hoilett were booked in Reading’s last match against Norwich.
QPR left-back Kenneth Paal (fouled 1.10 times p90) likes to supplement Rangers’ attacks from deep and his collisions with Junior Hoilett down the flank could interest card bettors this evening.
Old-fashioned centre-forward Lyndon Dykes (fouled 1.03 times p/90) should provide a physical test for experienced defender Sam Hutchinson, while Dykes could also make life uncomfortable for foul-machine Mamadou Loum when he drops deep to link play for QPR.
Match-Ups to watch
Sam Hutchinson vs Lyndon Dykes
Junior Hoilett vs Kenneth Paal
Mamadou Loum vs Lyndon Dykes
