Leeds United will aim to inch closer to clinching automatic promotion to the Premier League when they take on Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Saturday.
Gameweek 38 of the 2024/25 EFL Championship season continues on Saturday, which will feature ten matches. The action on the day will start with two simultaneous games, including QPR vs Leeds United at Loftus Road.
Queens Park Rangers have endured a topsy-turvy ride throughout the 2024/25 season thus far. The Hoops struggled in the first third of the 2024/25 EFL Championship season, winning only one of their opening 16 games. However, Marti Cifuentes’s men raised their levels in the subsequent 12 outings to become outside contenders to clinch a spot in the top six before a four-match losing run ended those hopes. A mid-table finish is now on the cards.
On the other hand, Leeds United were slow off the blocks, winning only two of their opening five EFL Championship clashes to fall to ninth in the standings. However, a run of three defeats in 32 outings has lifted the Whites to the summit, with second-placed Sheffield United two points behind them. However, with third-placed Burnley not too far off, Daniel Farke’s men cannot afford to slip up.
The reverse fixture saw Leeds United eke a 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers, with Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe finding the back of the net. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Queens Park Rangers
Marti Cifuentes has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The QPR manager will be bereft of the services of as many as six first-team players vs Leeds United on Saturday.
Ilias Chair is the latest absentee after picking up a hamstring injury earlier this week against Middlesbrough. The Moroccan international has joined Sam Field, Jonathan Varane, Zan Celar, Rayan Kolli, and Jake Clarke-Salter on the sidelines.
Paul Nardi should take his spot between the sticks, with QPR lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Leeds United on Saturday. The backline should feature Jimmy Dunne, Kenneth Paal, Ronnie Edwards, and captain Steve Cook.
As for the midfield unit, Kieran Morgan and Jack Colback will likely pair up in the double pivot. Koki Saito will reprise the no. 10 role, with Paul Smyth and Karamoko Dembele being the two wide attackers. Finally, Michael Frey will lead the line for QPR against Leeds United on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nardi; Dunne, Cook, Edwards, Paal; Morgan, Colback; Smyth, Saito, Dembele; Frey
Leeds United
Unlike his counterpart in the Queens Park Rangers dugout, Daniel Farke has no new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Loftus Road on Saturday. The Leeds United manager will be without four first-team players on Saturday.
Ethan Ampadu and Maximilian Wober are the most notable absentees, with the two regulars recovering from knee injuries. Patrick Bamford (hamstring) is also on the sidelines, with Joe Rothwell requiring a late fitness test to determine his availability.
Illan Meslier is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Leeds United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs QPR on Saturday. The backline should feature Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, and Junior Firpo.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev in the double pivot. Brenden Aaronson will reprise the no. 10 role, with Daniel James and Manor Solomon being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joel Piroe will spearhead the Leeds United attack against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Tanaka, Gruev; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe
Key Stats
- QPR have won five of their last six home league games vs Leeds United (L1), keeping a clean sheet in each victory. They beat them 4-0 last April despite being 40 points behind them in the league table.
- Leeds United beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 earlier this season and are looking to complete a league double over the Hoops for the first time since 2017/18.
- QPR have won seven of their last nine league games at Loftus Road (L2), although they lost 2-1 most recently against Sheffield United. They last suffered consecutive home defeats in October.
- Leeds United lost 1-0 against Portsmouth at Fratton Park in their last away league game. The Whites have not suffered consecutive away defeats since December 2023.
- Since beating QPR 3-1 in December 2017, Leeds United have lost 24 of their 31 league games in London (W4 D3) and faced defeat in nine of their ten most recent outings in the capital.
Player to Watch
Manor Solomon
While Joel Piroe and Karamoko Dembele were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Manor Solomon as the Player to Watch for Saturday’s EFL Championship clash between Queens Park Rangers and Leeds United at Loftus Road.
The Israeli international will reach a crossroads in his career in the summer transfer window after his loan spell with Leeds United ends. With several English clubs vying for his signature, Solomon will be eager to stamp his authority in the final few games of the 2024/25 season and earn a desirable move in the coming months.
Prediction
Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Leeds United
Leeds United might have a dreadful record in London in the last few years, with wins coming at a premium in the capital. However, Queens Park Rangers’ losing run gives the away side hope to end a horrendous run in London, although Marti Cifuentes’s charges should give the EFL Championship table-toppers a run for their money.
Manor Solomon and Joel Piroe should be at their best, and their exploits should be enough to earn a narrow victory for Leeds United. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Daniel Farke and his charges.
