Queens Park Rangers play host to Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to finally move outside of the Championship relegation zone.
While the 22nd-placed home side are close to making headway up the standings, Rotherham are cut adrift at the bottom and realistically must win this contest to retain any hope of remaining in the third tier.
Match preview
© Reuters
Marti Cifuentes's time in charge of QPR can be described as mixed at best with just six wins coming from his 20 matches in all competitions.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard deserves credit for keeping the Hoops in contention to avoid the drop, helped by a recent return of 11 points from a possible 18.
The solitary defeat came at the hands of rivals Stoke City by a 1-0 scoreline, a setback that will still frustrate Cifuentes, yet his players were able to respond in the best possible away three days later.
A trip to Bristol City ended with a crucial 1-0 triumph being posted at Ashton Gate, a result that leaves the West Londoners just three points adrift of 19th position.
Having failed to record consecutive wins since December 9, Cifuentes will not get ahead of himself, but their upcoming fixture represents the best possible chance of ending that unwanted streak.
Despite Leam Richardson being brought in to try to save Rotherham from the drop, there is already resignation at the Yorkshire outfit that they will be back in League One for 2024-25.
Rotherham showed spirit in the 4-3 defeat at Ipswich Town on Tuesday night, initially equalising deep into added-on time before immediately conceding a fourth goal at the other end.
However, it made it 10 games without success in all competitions, including five straight losses in the Championship, to leave the Millers 14 points adrift of safety.
With just 13 games remaining, Rotherham are almost a lost cause, but beating a direct relegation rival would be the catalyst that they desperately need to keep their hopes alive.
Team News
© Reuters
Barring any new fitness issues, Cifuentes may see no reason to make any alterations to his QPR XI.
Jack Colback and Joe Hodge are each alternatives in midfield if Cifuentes wants to go with a more attack-minded feel to his engine room.
Lyndon Dykes and Michael Frey have seemingly moved ahead of Sinclair Armstrong in the attacking pecking order.
Ollie Rathbone is expected to miss out for Rotherham are colliding with the advertising boards during the defeat at Ipswich.
On that occasion, Femi Seriki was introduced as his replacement, and the Sheffield United loanee may be handed another chance to impress.
Cameron Humphreys and Cafu are also alternatives to return in defence and midfield respectively.
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Dunne, Cook, Clarke-Salter, Paal; Hayden, Field; Willock, Andersen, Chair; Dykes
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Odoffin, Morrison, Peltier; Kioso, Tiehi, Rinomhota, Clucas; Seriki, Hugill, Eaves
We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Rotherham United
Having pushed Ipswich all the way on Tuesday, Rotherham will fancy their chances of overcoming QPR in the capital. Nevertheless, the home side are one of the form teams in the bottom half of the table and are playing with the belief to come through what may prove to be a tight tussle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
