Preview: Queens Park Rangers vs. Stoke City - prediction, team news, lineups

Queens Park Rangers welcome Stoke City to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Saturday, with both sides looking to steer clear of the relegation places.

Stoke suffered their first home league defeat since November in the week against Preston North End, while QPR drew 0-0 with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

Match preview

Mark Warburton's side ended a run of four straight defeats in all competitions on Tuesday with their draw at Swansea, but questions remain over their form.

With just two goals scored in all competitions since they beat Leeds United in January, QPR are now just nine points clear of the bottom three.

The loss of top goal scorer Nahki Wells has proven a blow, while key man Eberechi Eze has not provided a goal or an assist in the last six Championship matches.

The West London club have had mediocre home form all season too, winning just six of their 16 Championship matches at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Stoke, on the other hand, have been resurgent in recent months under Michael O'Neill, even if defeats to Derby County and Preston take the shine off slightly.

With Nick Powell and Tyrese Campbell showing something like their best form, Stoke have won four times in the league since the start of the new year and have moved four points clear of the drop zone.

However, with their first home defeat since November on Wednesday and rivals picking up points below them, the Potters need to be aware that they remain in a battle for survival.

These two sides last met on the opening day of the season, with QPR completing a 2-1 win over a listless Stoke team.

QPR Championship form: LWLLLD QPR form (all competitions): WLLLLD

Stoke City Championship form: DWWLWL

Team News

QPR will be without Charlie Owens because of a knee injury, but Yoann Barbet is expected to continue following his return to fitness.

Geoff Cameron could play against his former club in midfield, while Ilias Chair will be pushing for a recall.

Stoke faced a blow in midweek with James McClean ruled out for a number of weeks after picking up a knee injury.

Meanwhile, youth prospect Thibaud Verlinden is unlikely to appear again this season, while Sam Clucas is a doubt with a knock to his hip.

In McClean's absence, Tyrese Campbell could move wide, with Sam Vokes pushing for a recall.

QPR possible starting lineup: Kelly; Rangel, Barbet, Hall, Manning; Ball, Cameron; Osayi-Samuel, Eze, Chair; Hugill

Stoke City possible starting lineup: Butland; Smith, Batth, Lindsay, Martins-Indi; Allen, Clucas, Powell; Ince, Vokes, Campbell

We say: QPR 1-1 Stoke City

Stoke have made an impressive recovery under O'Neill but that progress has been stunted in recent weeks with a few poor results. QPR have also been in poor form, so expect this to be a tight affair with neither side able to find the upper hand.