'Hard to see things getting any better' – QPR vs Stoke City prediction: The72

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QPR host Stoke City at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon as Championship action returns after the latest international break.

QPR come into their clash with Stoke City in dire straights after a dismal first third of the 2024/25 Championship campaign.

Marti Cifuentes’ side are rooted to the bottom of the Championship table with just one win in 15 games. Injuries haven’t been kind to the Rs, but the squad is struggling and a turnaround is needed as soon as possible.

Overall, the West London are winless in 11. They lost back-to-back games before the break, being thrashed by Middlesbrough before a 2-0 loss to Leeds United.

As for Stoke City, things are looking up as Narcis Pelach settles into his ways in Staffordshire.

Wins haven’t always come for the Spaniard but the feeling at the Bet365 Stadium is one of growing optimism and an upturn in form before the break only helped that. The Potters drew with an in-form Millwall in their last game before the break, beating Blackburn Rovers and Derby County in back-to-back games beforehand.

It leaves Stoke sat 13th in the Championship table as they look to make a long-awaited push for a Premier League return.

Here, a handful of writers make their predictions for the game…

James Ray

“It’s hard to see things getting any better for QPR this weekend.

“Cifuentes will hopefully have seen things clear up on the injury front a bit after the international break. That will give him more to pick from in the bid to turn the tide, but the mood in West London is very different to that of the Stoke City squad travelling down this weekend.

“The Potters are in high spirits as the Pleach era kicks into action and they’ll be eager to make it four without defeat in this one. They should be confident of doing so.

“I’m rooting for Cifuentes to turn things around and lift QPR out of the mire, but such a turnaround doesn’t start here. I’m going for a 2-0 away win.”

Prediction: QPR 0-2 Stoke City

Harry Mail

“QPR have struggled so far this season and are in a relegation battle.

“The Hoops have leaked too many goals and need to tighten things up at the back.

“They have been unlucky with injuries and need something to go their way as they look to rise up the table.

“Stoke City are still a work in progress under the guidance of Pelach. He is still getting his ideas across the players.

“The Potters have individuals who will hurt QPR including striker Tom Cannonand I can see them winning in London.”

Prediction: QPR 1-2 Stoke City

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