Queens Park Rangers play host to Cardiff City on Wednesday evening looking to record a win which may be enough to move them into the automatic promotion places in the Championship standings.
Like their hosts, Cardiff saw an undefeated streak come to an end on Saturday, leaving the Bluebirds in 18th position as they continue to contemplate their long-term direction in the dugout.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having given Michael Beale his first senior role in the dugout in the summer, the QPR hierarchy would not have been expecting to be bracing themselves for interest from Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers after just 14 matches in the Championship.
However, the admiration from elsewhere highlights the job that Beale is doing at Loftus Road, even if QPR succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at Luton Town on Saturday.
Despite the setback which ended a five-match unbeaten streak, QPR still sit fourth position in the table, just one point behind leaders Burnley.
Although the West London outfit have been far from perfect, they have found a way to grind out results with five of their seven wins coming by a one-goal margin.
They had also conceded just three goals in six matches before shipping the same amount of strikes in 72 minutes at Kenilworth Road at the weekend.
© Reuters
Cardiff were also seemingly on a solid upward trajectory under caretaker boss Mark Hudson until they lost 1-0 at home to bottom-club Coventry City.
Given the unpredictable nature of the Championship, it should have come as too much of a surprise, but the Bluebirds had previously collected seven points from three games since sacking Steve Morison.
Still five points clear of the relegation zone, Cardiff's hierarchy may feel that they do not need to be in any rush to make a firm decision over their next permanent boss.
However, with the trip to England's capital coming before the all-Welsh showdown with Swansea City at the weekend, Hudson can ill-afford a second defeat in succession if he wants to give himself the best chance of remaining in his current role on a full-time basis.
Team News
© Reuters
If Leon Balogun is unable to shake off a knock sustained against Luton, Ethan Laird should return at right-back after resting a hamstring injury at the weekend.
Stefan Johansen is likely to be restored in central midfield, with Luke Amos or Sam Field potentially dropping out of the side.
While Taylor Richards made his return from injury at Kenilworth Road, the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee will remain among the replacements.
Hudson will likely freshen up his Cardiff XI with Jadon Philogene-Bidace and Sheyi Ojo both pushing for opportunities in creative roles.
Romaine Sawyers is also in line to return in midfield ahead of Andy Rinomhota, while Kion Etete is closing in on being given a chance down the centre of the attack.
Vontae Daley-Campbell played his first 64 minutes of Championship football at the weekend and may drop out of the side.
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Laird, Dunne, Clarke-Salter, Paal; Amos, Iroegbunam, Johansen; Roberts, Dyke, Chair
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Daley-Campbell, Ng, Kipre, Nkounkou; Sawyers, Wintle, Ralls; Ojo, Robinson, Philogene-Bidace
We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Cardiff City
Given the uncertainty at both clubs in one way or another, any result feels possible. Nevertheless, we can only back QPR to continue their form in front of their own supporters, potentially edging this contest by the odd goal in three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
