Can Southampton's home fortress stop QPR's new-found firepower? Southampton vs QPR prediction – 31.10.2026
On Saturday, October 31, Southampton host Queens Park Rangers at St Mary's in the 13th round of the Championship. The teams are separated only by goal difference: both have 20 points after 12 matches, with Southampton sitting sixth and QPR eighth. For the Saints, the figure is even more impressive considering they have earned 24 points on the pitch but are carrying a four-point deduction.
- Also read: Will Watford Claim Their First Away Win of the Season? Norwich vs Watford Prediction | October 31, 2026.
Southampton: the Championship's strongest home side
Tonda Eckert's team enter this fixture in excellent form. Southampton are unbeaten in four Championship matches, taking ten points from games against Portsmouth, Norwich, Bolton and West Ham. The latest result was particularly impressive: the Saints went to London Stadium and beat West Ham 3-2, scoring three times before half-time through Kuryu Matsuki, James Bree and Lewis Dobbin. Before that match, they had recorded three consecutive clean sheets.
Their home record is an even stronger argument. Southampton have played six league matches at St Mary's this season and remain unbeaten, with five wins and one draw. They have scored 16 goals and conceded only four, giving them the best home record in the Championship at this stage of the campaign.
There could also be a significant personnel boost. Cyle Larin, Southampton's leading scorer with seven Championship goals, missed the victory over West Ham because of a hamstring issue, while Flynn Downes was also unavailable with an ankle problem. After the West Ham game, Eckert said he was quite positive that both would be involved against QPR. Larin's possible return would give Southampton a natural focal point up front after they successfully used Dobbin in his absence.
QPR: Kone explodes into form, but injuries remain a concern
QPR could hardly have asked for a better response to their 3-0 defeat at Birmingham. Julien Stéphan's side demolished high-flying Swansea 5-0 last weekend, with Richard Kone scoring a remarkable hat-trick inside the opening 15 minutes and Jimmy Dunne adding two more goals. Kone had not scored in the Championship this season before that game, but suddenly arrives at St Mary's with three goals and an assist from his latest appearance.
The Rangers have generally been competitive away from Loftus Road. Their six Championship trips have produced two wins, three draws and only one defeat, although they have scored and conceded seven goals on the road. That record suggests QPR are difficult to put away, but their only away match against another top-six contender in October ended in a 3-0 defeat at Birmingham.
The main issue for Stéphan remains availability. Nicolas Madsen, Rumarn Burrell and Tariq Lamptey have already been ruled out until after the November international break, while Amadou Mbengue is facing a long-term absence. On the positive side, Ilias Chair, Boy Kemper and Alfie Lloyd are progressing towards possible availability for Southampton, although Jake Clarke-Salter remains a doubt. Karamoko Dembélé also returned against Swansea after ten months out and received around 20 minutes from the bench.
Southampton have dominated this fixture
Recent head-to-head history heavily favors the hosts. Southampton have won seven of the last eight meetings between the clubs and each of the last six. Last season alone, they won 2-1 at Loftus Road before producing a dominant 5-0 victory over QPR at St Mary's in February.
That does not mean another one-sided game should be expected. QPR arrive with confidence after putting five past Swansea, and the combination of Kone, Paul Smyth and Kwame Poku gives them enough pace to punish Southampton if the hosts leave space in transition. However, Stéphan is still working with a depleted squad, while Southampton have shown far greater consistency at home and are potentially getting two important players back.
Southampton's home record should make the difference
This looks like one of the most attractive games of the Championship weekend. Both sides have just produced statement victories and both are directly involved in the play-off race, but Southampton have more factors in their favor.
The Saints are unbeaten at St Mary's, have conceded just four times in six home league games and have already beaten QPR six times in succession. The potential return of Larin would strengthen an attack that managed three goals at West Ham even without its leading scorer. QPR are dangerous enough to keep the contest competitive, especially after Kone's breakthrough performance, but their injury situation and much less convincing away output make Southampton the stronger choice.
Prediction: Southampton to win.
