Championship | Gameweek 33

Feb 14, 2025 at 8pm UK

Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium

QPR vs Derby

Match preview

QPR had an extremely poor start to the 2024-25 season, winning just one of their opening 16 Championship games, losing seven and drawing eight.

Despite these results, which left QPR at the foot of the Championship table, the hierarchy maintained faith in manager Marti Cifuentes and their loyalty was certainly rewarded in the games that followed.

A 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Matchday 17 sparked an impressive run of eight wins in 12 league games, with just one defeat and three draws, to move them up to 10th in the table and firmly into the play-off race.

However, Cifuentes' side go into this fixture having lost three of their last four games and are in danger of reverting to their early-season form.

The upcoming clash with Derby presents QPR with a huge opportunity to halt their slide, as the Rams have lost eight and drawn two of their last ten games in all competitions, and a win could see Cifuentes' men move level on points with eighth-placed Coventry City.

After suffering relegation from the Championship in 2021-22 as a result of a 21-point deduction, Derby quickly secured their return to the second tier, winning promotion from League One at their second attempt by finishing second in 2023-24.

The Rams are fighting to extend their stay in the second tier this season and currently sit just above the relegation zone in 21st place, only above 22nd-placed Hull City on goal difference, with both sides level on 29 points.

The Rams made a strong start to the season, sitting in 11th place after 16 games with five wins, five draws and six defeats, but their form has since deteriorated considerably.

Derby have won just two of their last 17 games in all competitions, with three draws and 12 defeats, as they rapidly slide down the table and towards the relegation zone.

The Rams parted company with former manager Paul Warne, who had been in charge since September 2022, following an eighth successive defeat, and interim boss Matthew Hamshaw has taken two points from his last two games.

As Derby continue their search for a permanent replacement for Warne, with reports linking them with Blackburn Rovers' John Eustace, the Rams will be looking to build on their recent improvement and secure their first win since Boxing Day.

Recent Performance

Queens Park Rangers Championship form:WWLLWL

Derby County Championship form:LLLLDD

Team News

QPR will be without the services of Jake Clarke-Salter (hip), Karamoko Dembele (unspecified), Lucas Andersen (calf) and Zan Celar (hamstring) due to injury.

Paul Smyth is also a doubt for the hosts after being withdrawn in the 71st minute of the 1-0 defeat at Coventry City, which could pave the way for Yang Min-Hyeok to make his first start for the club.

For the visitors, Corey Blackett-Taylor (hamstring), Curtis Nelson (knee) and Dajaune Brown (hamstring) are all unavailable through injury.

Having secured back-to-back draws under interim boss Hamshaw, the caretaker coach could opt to name a largely unchanged starting line-up for the match.

Possible starting lineup

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Nardi; Dunne, Cook, Edwards, Paal; Colback; Min-Hyeok, Field, Chair, Saito; Frey

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Zetterstrom; Phillips, Clarke, Langas; Jackson, Adams, Ozoh, Goudmijn, Elder; Mendez-Laing, Salvesen