Preview: Queens Park Rangers vs. Peterborough United - prediction, team news, lineups

Queens Park Rangers play host to Peterborough United on Sunday afternoon knowing that they will require victory to end the week in the Championship playoff places.

At a time when the Hoops are pushing for promotion to the Premier League, Posh head to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium sitting seven points adrift of safety.

Match preview

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Like many of their rivals, consistency has not come easy for QPR of late, Mark Warburton's side collecting just two wins from nine matches in the Championship.

However, on the back of a comeback victory at Luton Town, everyone associated with the Hoops would have been frustrated with letting slip a lead at Nottingham Forest.

Three second-half goals for the East Midlands outfit condemned QPR to a fourth defeat in five away games, a return which must improve if they want to stay in the hunt for Premier League promotion.

Four home fixtures remain for the London outfit, and with QPR at risk of quickly dropping down to 10th position, it feels imperative that they record maximum points on Sunday.

Andre Gray has scored in three successive matches, taking his tally for the campaign to eight strikes from 22 appearances.

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Peterborough have undoubtedly improved since Grant McCann replaced Darren Ferguson in the dugout, Posh recently claiming draws against Bournemouth and Stoke City.

However, McCann watched on helplessly on Wednesday evening as his side let slip a 2-1 advantage against Swansea City, conceding two goals in the final 19 minutes to succumb to defeat.

With Peterborough having gone 15 matches since recording a win in the Championship, they are fortunate to still only be seven points adrift of 21st position.

On a positive note, Jack Marriott and Jonson Clarke-Harris have rediscovered their scoring boots, the pair contributing two goals apiece in the last three fixtures.

Peterborough also got the better of QPR in the FA Cup earlier this campaign, prevailing 2-0 at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Team News

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With Chris Willock suffering an injury at the City Ground, Ilias Chair is expected to be restored to the QPR starting lineup.

Yoann Barbet will likely return to the team in place of Dion Sanderson, while Jeff Hendrick and Stefan Johansen are options in midfield.

Lyndon Dykes remains doubtful and will only feature among the replacements if he is named in the squad.

McCann may freshen up his Peterborough side with Marriott in line to get the nod over Ricky-Jade Jones.

Harrison Burrows is also an option, the 20-year-old able to deputise at left wing-back or in central midfield, but Steven Benda remains sidelined.

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Marshall; Dickie, Dunne, Barbet; Odubajo, Field, Hendrick, Wallace; Chair, Johansen; Gray

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Cornell; Edwards, Kent, Knight; Ward, Fuchs, Norburn, Mumba; Szmodics; Clarke-Harris, Marriott

We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Peterborough United

Despite their prolonged winless streak in the Championship, Posh have made improvements under McCann. Nevertheless, that may not help them avoid defeat in West London, QPR likely to make full use of playing at home to claim another important three points.