A bite-sized look ahead to Ipswich Town’s visit to Loftus Road to take on Queens Park Rangers.
When and where?
Saturday, 3pm, Loftus Road
What’s the team news?
Daryl Murphy, Luke Hyam and Ryan Fraser should all play despite knocks, but Dean Gerken, David McGoldrick and Teddy Bishop are still injured, while Jonathan Douglas serves his second game of a three match ban.
Conor Washington could make his full Rangers debut after signing from Peterborough.
Who is their manager?
Jimmy Floud Hasselbaink is in charge at Loftus Road, having replaced Chris Ramsey earlier in the season. He was in the hot seat when the R’s lost at Portman Road on Boxing Day and has still won just once since taking over. That win came away at Rotherham.
How have they been getting on so far this season?
It’s one win in 11 now for Rangers, which has left them in 13th on the table, 12 points behind the Blues. Mick McCarthy said they are underachieving when he spoke to the press this week.
What does the two sides’ form look like over the last five games?
QPR: L-D-W-D-D
Ipswich: W-D-L-L-W
Who has the best record in this fixture?
Ipswich edged further ahead in the series between the two, with a win on Boxing Day meaning they have won 29 of 72 meetings. Rangers have won 25 with 18 draws.
What happened when they met earlier in the season?
As previously mentioned the Blues took three points on Boxing Day, with Luke Chambers grabbing a 90th minute winner which sent the festive fans home happy. Junior Hoilett had given the Hoops the lead, before Jonathan Douglas levelled to set up a frantic finish.
Who is the ref?
Charles Breakspear, from Surrey, is the man in the middle. He last took charge of an Ipswich game in January 2015, in the 0-0 draw with Wigan and the 1-0 win over Bolton the previous year.
Who are the QPR danger men?
Hoilett is always a danger, as he proved at Portman Road, while former Blue Massimo Luongo is getting more and more at home in the Championship. Washington has performed well whenever he’s stepped up a level, while Matt Phillips will be a threat from wide.
There’s no reunion with Jau Emmanuel-Thomas, though, following his loan move to MK Dons.
What are the bookies saying?
QPR are 31/20, with the Blues 2/1 and the draw 23/10. Luke Chambers to score last, like he did on Boxing Day, is 33/1.
Anything else worth knowing?
Former Norwich goalkeeper Rob Green won’t be keeping goal for Rangers tomorrow, reportedly due to the fact he is close to triggering a new deal which the club are keen to avoid.
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