EFL Championship | Gameweek 43

Apr 18, 2025 at 3pm UK

Deepdale

Preston vs QPR

Match preview

The home side were dominated by Leeds, who had over 3.5 xG and 15 shots on target, with their only attempt on goal coming in the sixth minute.

Preston have been defensively fragile in recent weeks, conceding 10 goals in their last five games.

With just four games remaining in the Championship season and the Lilywhites seven points clear of 22nd-placed Cardiff City, who occupy the final relegation spot, boss Paul Heckingbottom will be desperate for all three points on Friday.

However, Heckingbottom's side will need to improve on their recent form, which has seen them go five games without a win and three defeats.

Preston have also failed to win in three appearances at Deepdale, drawing twice, but were unbeaten in their previous 15 home matches, winning seven.

As for QPR, they were unlucky not to win against fifth-placed Bristol City, creating three good chances and almost two xGs to their opponents' one. To their credit, the visitors' 49 Championship goals are the second-best return in the bottom 10.

Manager Marti Cifuentes led his side to a 2-1 win over Preston in the reverse fixture on 21 December, and they have won their last three meetings with the hosts.

QPR come into the game having drawn two and won one of their last three, but have lost five of their last six.

The visitors beat Oxford United 3-1 in their last game away from home on 9 April, but had lost each of their previous six away from home.

Recent Performance

Preston North End Championship form:DWLDDL

Preston North End form (all competitions):WLLDDL

Queens Park Rangers Championship form:LDLDWD

Team News

Preston goalkeeper David Cornell could be protected by a back three of Jordan Storey, Lewis Gibson and Andrew Hughes.

Defensive midfielder Ben Whiteman could be part of a midfield trio, with Stefan Teitur Thordarson and Robbie Brady likely to partner him in the absence of Alistair McCann.

Milutin Osmajic and Mads Frokjaer-Jensen paired up front against Leeds and are expected to start together on Friday.

Meanwhile, QPR attackers Karamoko Dembele, Nicolas Madsen and Koki Saito could be called upon to support striker Yang Min-hyeok, with forwards Alfie Lloyd, Ilias Chair and Zan Celar all injured.

Jack Colback and Jonathan Varane formed a double pivot last time out and are almost certain to start again.

Elsewhere, centre-back Jake Clarke-Salter is expected to be sidelined until the end of April with a hip injury, and his absence could see Liam Morrison and Ronnie Edwards called upon.

Possible starting lineup

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Cornell; Storey, Gibson, Hughes; Kesler-Hayden, Thordarson, Whiteman, Brady, Meghoma; Osmajic, Frokjaer-Jensen

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Nardi; Dunne, Morrison, Edwards, Ashby; Varane, Colback; Dembele, Madsen, Saito; Min-hyeok