Match Preview
QPR vrs Fulham
Championship Match Day 40 at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium
Tuesday 30th June 2020 KO: 18:30
Referee:
Gavin Ward (Surrey)
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West London rivals Fulham and Queens Park Rangers meet at Loftus Road on Tuesday evening seeking their first points since the Championship season resumed.
Fulham's automatic promotion hopes have all but ended following back-to-back defeats, while neighbours QPR have slipped into the bottom half after losing two from two.
Seven points from nine prior to the three-month hiatus had Fulham well positioned to overhaul one of Leeds United or West Bromwich Albion for a place in the top two.
However, since the season resumed a little over a week ago the Cottagers have suffered a 2-0 loss to local rivals Brentford and a 3-0 reverse at Leeds.
From potentially being one point behind Leeds with seven games to play, Fulham are now 10 points behind the leaders and seven off West Brom, who have themselves struggled of late.
Indeed, with Brentford leapfrogging them into third and the chasing pack closing in, Scott Parker's men will now be looking over their shoulder in the final straight.
Fulham do at least have something to play for, unlike another of their local rivals in QPR, who are 10 points off the playoffs and eight above the relegation zone.
It is now a case of jostling for position in mid-table for Mark Warburton's side following 1-0 defeats to Barnsley and Charlton Athletic.
The biggest frustration for Warburton will be that QPR had momentum on their side before football was brought to a halt in March, winning three and drawing three of their last six games prior to lockdown.
A failure to score in those defeats to Barnsley and Charlton will be of particular concern, though the same is true of goal-shy Fulham after firing blanks in successive matches.
Fulham are now winless in four away matches, drawing three of those, though they do at least have a good record against Rangers.
The Cottagers have lost just two of the last 15 meetings between the sides in all competitions, most recently winning 2-1 in November's reverse fixture thanks to Aboubakar Kamara's brace.
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When these two teams last met, at The Cottage in November 2019, Fulham won 2-1 with a goal in each half from Aboubakar Kamara.
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In Fulham's visit to QPR last season the score ended QPR 1 and Fulham 2
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The last time Fulham won away in the league was 5 games ago against Blackburn.
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Fulham have missed the net in 7 of their last 20 away league games.
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Of the 6 away games Fulham have lost, they conceded first 6 times.
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QPR have won 40% of their last 20 home league games.
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QPR have kept 2 clean sheets in their last 20 home games.
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Of the 8 league games QPR has won at home, they scored first 6 times.
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QPR have scored 2 goals or more in 11 of their last 20 home games.