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

Queens Park Rangers take on Stoke City on Tuesday evening having lost four of their last five matches in the Championship.

Meanwhile, the Potters make the trip to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium sitting in eighth position, two points adrift of the playoffs.

Match preview

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After narrowly avoiding a late-season relegation scrap during the last campaign, some Stoke supporters will be satisfied with the Potters remaining in and around the playoff places at this stage.

However, despite Michael O'Neill having to deal with a number of injuries, there is a feeling that inconsistency is holding the club back as they bid to return to the Premier League.

Wins over Wycombe Wanderers and Middlesbrough seemed to have gotten O'Neill's side heading back in the right direction, but claiming just a point against Cardiff City and Derby County has kept the Staffordshire outfit in eighth spot.

With Stoke being second best during the goalless draw versus the Rams, there is now pressure on this group of players to pick up a much-needed maximum haul on Tuesday night.

The return of Steven Fletcher is a major plus point for O'Neill, particularly with top goalscorer Tyrese Campbell facing a spell on the sidelines.

As for QPR, it was not so long ago that Mark Warburton's team were sitting comfortably in mid-table after collecting 10 points from five outings.

Since then, just one point has come from the same amount of fixtures, and it has left QPR just five points above the relegation zone.

While Warburton is aware that one positive result will provide the club with extra breathing space, shaking off the disappointment of Saturday's late defeat at home to Reading may be easier said than done.

Warburton's talented attack have contributed just three goals over their recent poor run, with Lyndon Dykes now without a strike in four appearances.

Queens Park Rangers Championship form: WLLLDL

Stoke City Championship form: LDWWLD

Team News

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Warburton is expected to make a number of changes to his starting XI, which should include a recall for Todd Kane.

Albert Adomah and Macauley Bonnes will also expect opportunities in the final third, potentially at the expense of Chris Willock and Dykes.

With Fletcher having only just returned from injury, O'Neill may consider handing a recall to Sam Vokes.

Tom Ince could also be given a chance to impress on the left flank, while John Obi Mikel is closing in on a return to the squad after a calf issue.

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup: Dieng; Kane, Dickie, Barbet, Hamalainen; Cameron, Carroll; Samuel, Chair, Adomah; Bonne

Stoke City possible starting lineup: Bursik; Collins, Souttar, Chester, Fox; Cousins, Thompson; Brown, Powell, Ince; Vokes

We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Stoke City

Both sides have struggled for goals of late and we expect their respective runs to continue on Tuesday night. While both teams need a win to get back on track, suffering another defeat could prove costly as they bid to achieve their targets going forward.

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