The Championship's early leaders meet in London: QPR vs Middlesbrough prediction
The fifth-round Championship match between QPR and Middlesbrough will take place on 5 September at Loftus Road. The hosts sit second with 10 points and remain unbeaten, while the visitors are fifth and trail by only a few points.
QPR: 10 points and a reliable defence
Julien Stéphan's side have made a surprisingly strong start to the new season. After a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth and a goalless draw with Bolton, the Londoners went on to beat Blackburn and Cardiff 2-1.
QPR have conceded just three goals in four rounds, with only Swansea boasting a better defensive record in the league. Their seven goals have been shared between five players, while Ilias Chair and Rumarn Burrell have already recorded two goals and one assist each.
Middlesbrough: strong squad, but problems with defensive reliability
Kim Hellberg's side began the league campaign with a 2-1 victory over Lincoln, then lost 2-1 to Blackburn before taking four points from matches against West Bromwich Albion and Burnley. Middlesbrough have now gone five consecutive competitive matches without keeping a clean sheet.
Will Lankshear has been one of the standout performers at the start of the season, scoring six goals in all competitions since joining from Tottenham. The visitors possess considerable attacking potential but remain vulnerable defensively.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- QPR have collected 10 points from four matches and remain unbeaten.
- The hosts have conceded only three goals, one of the best records in the Championship.
- Middlesbrough have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five competitive matches.
The sides could produce a high-scoring draw: QPR vs Middlesbrough prediction
QPR are in excellent form and are capable of causing their opponents serious problems again at home. However, Middlesbrough possess a quality attack and have already shown that they can pick up points against strong opposition.
Given the hosts' defensive solidity and the visitors' attacking potential, this looks like a fairly even contest. Both teams are capable of scoring more than once, but separating them may prove difficult.
