Preview: Peterborough United vs. Queens Park Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Championship playoff contenders Queens Park Rangers travel to struggling Peterborough United on Saturday afternoon.

The Hoops are fifth in the table following a promising start to the campaign, while Posh are fighting to avoid an immediate return to League One.

Match preview

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QPR picked up their third win in four games on Tuesday night as Ilias Chair's 83rd-minute goal proved enough to beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0.

It was the perfect response to the 4-1 defeat to Fulham last weekend and moved Mark Warburton's side back into the top six.

Only the Cottagers (29) have scored more goals in the Championship this season than QPR (24), who have netted in all of their opening 13 games.

However, the Hoops have lost three consecutive away matches and have not won on the road since the middle of August.

The West London side face Sunderland in the EFL Cup on Tuesday before hosting a resurgent Nottingham Forest side next weekend.

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Peterborough were also victorious in midweek, beating fellow newly-promoted outfit Hull City 2-1 thanks to goals from Jack Taylor and Siriki Dembele.

It was Posh's first win in five matches and moved them out of the relegation zone; they now sit 20th, two points above the bottom three.

Darren Ferguson's side have the worst defensive record in the Championship this season having conceded 26 goals, but only seven of those have been let in at home.

Similarly, eight of the club's 11 points so far have been picked up at the Weston Homes Stadium, so it will not be an easy trip for QPR.

Peterborough have won just one of the last eight games between the two sides, but this will be the first time they have met in league action since 2010.

Team News

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Jack Marriott, Ricky-Jade Jones and Joel Randall all remain sidelined through injury for Peterborough, while Jonson Clarke-Harris continues to serve his suspension.

Siriki Dembele's goal in midweek was his first since August, so he will now hope to net in back to back games.

Full-back pairing Dan Butler and Nathan Thompson are both one yellow card away from incurring a one-match suspension.

Stefan Johansen is available again for QPR after being banned for the game against Blackburn on Tuesday.

Jordy de Wijs will be pushing for a recall in defence, but Mark Warburton may stick with Jimmy Dunne alongside Rob Dickie and Yoann Barbet after the trio helped secure a clean sheet in midweek.

There is also competition for places upfront, with Lyndon Dykes, Charlie Austin and Andre Gray all battling to be the central striker.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Cornell; Knight, Edwards, Beevers; Thompson, Taylor, Norburn, Butler; Grant, Dembele, Szmodics

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Dickie, Dunne, Barbet; Adomah, Ball, Johansen, McCallum; Willock, Chair; Gray

We say: Peterborough United 0-2 Queens Park Rangers

QPR's potent attack will fancy their chances against Peterborough's weak defence and we think the visitors will take all three points. A midweek win for Posh will have boosted their confidence, but the Hoops will expect to win a game like this if they are to finish in the top six this season.