Queens Park Rangers will be looking for back-to-back victories under their new management when they travel to face Cardiff City in the Championship on Boxing Day.
Neil Critchley commenced his reign at the West London club with a hard-fought victory away to Preston North End, and the R's now come up against a Cardiff side who have drawn successive games since returning from the World Cup break.
Match preview
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Before the Championship season paused for an unprecedented break due to matters in Qatar, Cardiff City were failing to see any sort of improvement in form under new manager Mark Hudson, having lost six of their eight league fixtures in a run stretching back to October.
Since returning from the month-long hiatus, results have picked up slightly for the Welsh side, with a 2-2 draw at Stoke City being followed by a point against Blackpool at the Cardiff City Stadium last weekend.
Despite having the majority of the possession and clear-cut chances against the visiting Seasiders last time out, a second-half strike from Gary Madine cancelled out Kion Etete's first of the season, meaning both sides were forced to share the spoils.
That start against Blackpool was the Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate's first of the season, with the 21-year-old showing glimpses of the potent striker Cardiff desperately need after struggling offensively in the first half of this campaign.
The Bluebirds have managed to score just 20 times in 23 Championship fixtures, with only bottom-club Huddersfield Town possessing a worse attacking record as the second-tier season enters the dark and unforgiving winter months.
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After a tumultuous month which saw the departure of the highly-rated Michael Beale and a run of four consecutive defeats, QPR regained their place in the playoffs after narrowly defeating Preston in Critchley's maiden outing as manager.
The R's have been known over the past few seasons for their attractive style of play, but it was a hard-earned clean sheet and a set-piece goal from Jimmy Dunne which secured all three points in Lancashire, a maximum that will go a long way in increasing the confidence within the camp.
As the former Blackpool boss applauded the travelling QPR fans at Deepdale after the full-time whistle, there was a sense of renewed hope despite the loss of Beale to Rangers earlier this month, with the aim of achieving a playoff finish for the first time in nine years still a distinct possibility.
QPR will be hoping to repeat their success in the reverse fixture earlier this season when they defeated the Welsh side 3-0 in front of their home faithful, although an 18th-minute red card from Cardiff's Jack Simpson that day really reduced the difficulty of collecting three points.
Within the space of four days over this festive period QPR face both Cardiff and Luton Town, a pair of fixtures that Critchley will be targeting for maximum points ahead of a tough assignment against high-flying Sheffield United in their first game of 2023.
Team News
Cardiff boss Hudson is hopeful of having Rubin Colwill available in the near future after the Welsh youngster netted in a development game recently on his return from a multitude of injury issues, with the 20-year-old having not started a match for the first team since August.
Full-back Joel Bagan has been the recipient of some constructive criticism in the build up to this match, with Hudson stating the 20-year-old needs to demand more of himself to earn a place in the side ahead of less natural options at left-back such as Callum O'Dowda and Niels Nkounkou.
QPR have received a significant boost ahead of this clash with midfielder Ilias Chair back from World Cup duty with Morocco and available for selection on Monday evening.
Critchley is set to be unable to call on the services of Leon Balogun and Stefan Johansen in South Wales, with the both players a doubt for this fixture after missing last weekend's victory at Preston due to their respective knocks.
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Allsopp; Romeo, Ng, Kipre, Nkounkou; Ralls, Wintle, Harris, Robinson, O'Dowda; Etete
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Laird, Dunne, Clarke-Salter, Paal; Field, Dozzell, Iroegbunam; Chair, Willock, Dykes
We say: Cardiff City 1-2 Queens Park Rangers
Cardiff have halted a concerning run of defeats with two consecutive draws but are still placed precariously in the league standings ahead of this Boxing Day clash.
QPR will be energised after such an important victory against Preston and with the return of playmaker Chair imminent, Critchley should be able to continue his perfect start to life as R's boss in Wales on Monday.
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Top tip
Carter White
