Charlton vs Queens Park Rangers prediction, H2H and probable lineups – 6 February 2026
On Friday, February 6, as part of the 31st round of the English Championship, a London derby will take place at The Valley: Charlton Athletic hosts Queens Park Rangers. This match carries significant weight for both teams as they look to strengthen their positions in the middle of the table.
Match preview
Charlton, under the guidance of Nathan Jones, approach the derby in high spirits after a crucial away victory over Leicester (2-0). That success snapped a poor run and created a three-point cushion above the relegation zone, lifting the Addicks to 18th place. The team has become noticeably more disciplined defensively, and the signing of Lyndon Dykes has injected confidence in the final third. Dykes already has a goal and an assist to his name. At their home ground, The Valley, Charlton traditionally try to dictate the tempo, and the derby factor should only spur them to take the initiative.
Nevertheless, consistency remains the main issue for the Londoners. Despite their recent win, Charlton have managed just 3 victories in their last 15 league matches, forcing the coaching staff to take a cautious approach tactically. Most likely, Jones will stick with the same three-centre-back system (3-4-2-1) used against Leicester, aiming to crowd the midfield and deny the visitors space for quick attacks. Special attention will be paid to set pieces, which have become a potent weapon for the Addicks this season, especially with the towering Lloyd Jones (1.90m) in the side.
QPR, who sit 11th, are also in decent form under Julien Stéphan. In their last outing, the Hoops showed real character, defeating one of the league leaders, Coventry (2-1). The team is becoming increasingly stable, suffering only one defeat in their last five matches. The main strength of the Rangers currently lies in the creative play of Karamoko Dembélé and Paul Smyth, who link the lines effectively and create opportunities for powerful striker Richard Koné.
However, injuries could seriously complicate things for the visitors in this derby. Three key players—defender Jake Clarke-Salter, midfielder Jonathan Varane, and defender Ziyad Larkeche—will all miss the game through injury. This forces Stéphan to opt for a more cautious 4-2-3-1 setup, focusing on counterattacks and a compact midfield. Away from home, QPR have been pragmatic this season, prioritizing defensive solidity, which often leads to tight, low-scoring affairs against evenly matched opponents.
Match facts and head-to-head
- QPR are unbeaten in four of their last five Championship matches.
- In the last 10 head-to-head meetings, the record is dead even: both Charlton and QPR have four wins each, with two draws.
- QPR won the first meeting between these sides this season 3-1 (August 2025).
- In four of the last five encounters between these clubs at The Valley, there have been no more than two goals scored.
Probable lineups
- Charlton: Kaminski - Ramsay, Jones, Bell - Clarke, Coady, Docherty, Chambers - Carey, Leaburn - Dykes
- QPR: Walsh - Edwards, Dunne, Cook, Norrington-Davies - Hayden, Madsen, Vale - Dembélé, Smyth, Kone
Prediction
I expect caution to take center stage in this London derby. The stature of the fixture and recent defensive improvements on both sides suggest a tight contest. Charlton have become much more disciplined at the back, while QPR—despite their injury woes—know how to set up a resilient defense away from home. The stakes are high, and it's unlikely either side will take undue risks. My prediction: Under 2.5 total goals.
