QPR vs Sheffield Wednesday Prediction: R’s red-hot form to continue

QPR are the best team in the Championship right now. At least that’s what the form table says over the last four games - and they will look to make it five wins on the bounce when they host Sheffield Wednesday at Loftus Road (15:00, Saturday).

Wednesday drew their last outing but there has been progress off the pitch as Danny Rohl and Dejphon Chansiri have finally spoken, leading to some potential movement in the transfer window. Below you can find my QPR vs Sheffield Wednesday prediction featuring betting tips and team news. 

Team News

QPR may choose to stick Alfie Lloyd into the team after he put in a top-class display from the bench against Hull City. He could start ahead of Rayan Kolli, while the talent of Koki Saito is surely going to have to be utilised from the start after he scored a magnificent goal off the bench at the MKM Stadium. 

Harrison Ashby is a doubt after he had to come off late on, while Karamoko Dembele and Zan Celar are definitely out. Liam Morrison, Steve Cook and Lucas Andersen are set for returns in early February, but this game will come too soon for the trio. 

The focus for Sheffield Wednesday this month has mainly been around Shea Charles. The Southampton loanee was recalled by his parent club this month, but it has now been confirmed that he has rejoined the Owls until the end of the season, and he is eligible to play in the capital on Saturday.

It means Barry Bannan has will line up alongside his midfield partner once again, with Liam Palmer or Svante Ingelsson having to settle for spots on the bench now Charles has returned. Djeidi Gassama has been the star man of late and really seems to have gone up a gear, and he completed the most dribbles, created the most chances and found the net against Bristol City in a sensational display. 

He will start on the left, with Josh Windass and Ike Ugbo likely to complete the attacking trio. Dominic Iorfa and Akin Famewo remain out, while Nathaniel Chalobah could return to the matchday squad after his issue.

QPR vs Sheffield Wednesday Odds

QPR are priced at 6/4 to win this game at home, giving them an implied win probability of 40%. Sheffield Wednesday are available at 15/8 but they do have an impressive record on the road, having won five of their 13 away matches so far, giving them the eighth-highest away points total in the division. 

A draw can be backed at 11/5, over 2.5 goals is 11/10 and BTTS, which has come in during 61% of QPR matches, is 4/5. In terms of goalscorers, Michael Frey is the favourite to find the net first - priced at 6/1 to do so. 

QPR to win @ 6/4

We simply have to back QPR looking at their form. They’ve won four on the bounce in the league but also have only lost once in their 13 league outings, seeing them climb from bottom up to 10th at breakneck speed. Marti Cifuentes was under pressure at the start of the campaign when they couldn’t buy a win, but the faith in him has paid off and now they are play-off contenders. 

Sheffield Wednesday are also play-off contenders and although I am pleased to see shoots of progress since Chansiri’s chaotic press conference, on the pitch they have now failed to win in their last four - drawing three of those. I think they will be a top-10 side come May, but I’m backing them to fall to a defeat here.

Koki Saito to score anytime @ 16/5

Having scored off the bench against Hull, I’m backing Saito to start for QPR and find the net again. It was his first goal of the campaign so we are getting great odds on him to score again as he’s been used in a wing-back position rather than further up the pitch for most of the season, which may explain the lack of goals. He’s got all the attributes to be a fantastic winger at this level and if he is deployed further forward from the start, is going to cause Wednesday problems. 

His goal at Hull saw him dance down the line on the left wing, before firing the ball into the roof of the net, and I love watching him get on the ball and run at defenders. This is a bit of a left-field pick (pardon the pun), but I think Saito offers good value heading into this weekend clash. 

Offers

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