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

Watford play host to Queens Park Rangers on Monday evening looking to strengthen their grip on a playoff place in the Championship.

Despite claiming seven points from their last four outings, the visitors find themselves in a battle to avoid relegation from the second tier.

Match preview

Watford's three-match winning streak came to an end on Tuesday evening as they were held to a goalless draw by struggling Millwall.

While Xisco was naturally left frustrated with the result at The Den, the stalemate kept the Hornets ticking in the right direction when teams below the top five are struggling for consistency.

Achieving a place in the top two remains Xisco's main objective, but the Spaniard will not lose sight of the benefits of staying clear of the chasing pack heading into the closing months of the campaign.

With just six goals coming from Watford's last five Championship matches, there is a demand for a better return in the final third, particularly against clubs who are lower down the table.

Nevertheless, Xisco will not want to change anything which may have a negative effect on a defence which has conceded just one goal in four games.

As far as QPR are concerned, a fixture versus one of the form teams in the division has come at the wrong time as they bid to move away from trouble.

On the back of excellent wins at Luton Town and Cardiff City, Mark Warburton's team lost out at home to relegation rivals Derby County last weekend.

The Hoops are now at risk of being pulled towards the bottom three, particularly with many of their upcoming games being against teams scrapping it out at either end of the table.

While Warburton knows that his side have the quality to trouble the top clubs, confidence in the squad remains fragile after their recent 10-match period without success.

Watford Championship form: WLWWWD Watford form (all competitions): LLWWWD

Queens Park Rangers Championship form: DLDWWL Queens Park Rangers form (all competitions): LDLWWL

Team News

Warburton is expected to hand a debut to Stefan Johansen, who has recently arrived on loan from Fulham.

Macauley Bonne will come in for Lyndon Dykes if Warburton opts to make a change to his attack.

Watford boss Xisco is expected to recall Joao Pedro at the expense of Andre Gray.

Philip Zinckernagel may also be handed an opportunity on the left flank in place of Will Hughes.

Watford possible starting lineup: Bachmann; Femenia, Sierralta, Troost-Ekong, Masina; Sarr, Chalobah, Cleverley, Zinckernagel; Deeney, Pedro

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup: Dieng; Barbet, Dickie, Cameron; Kane, Johansen, Chair, Ball, Hamalainen; Austin, Bonne

We say: Watford 2-0 Queens Park Rangers

Goals remain an issue for this Watford side, something which will only encourage QPR ahead of the short trip to Vicarage Road. However, there is also an efficiency about the Hornets, and we feel Xisco's side will outfight their opponents on Monday evening.

Top betting tip

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