QPR vs Portsmouth Prediction: Relegation clash may leave R’s in trouble

Boy, oh boy. We have an absolutely crucial game to look forward to at the bottom of the Championship as two teams marrooned in the bottom three meet at Loftus Road on Saturday. QPR currently sit 22nd in the table, and they host 23rd-placed Portsmouth in a gargantuan game at the bottom, with both sides sticking with their managers for now. 

It means the result of this fixture is absolutely pivotal for both teams, as they meet at 15:00 on Saturday afternoon. Below you can find my QPR vs Portsmouth prediction for this early season relegation six-pointer. 

Team News

Marti Cifuentes has been recently handed a new contract by QPR, which comes amid a poor run of results. It gives certainty to the playing squad that he is the man to get them out of this sticky patch, but a change in style hasn’t benefitted them this term. The R’s are now trying to play out from the back with experienced duo Steve Cook and Jimmy Dunne clearly not suited to that playing style. The return of Jake Clarke-Salter from injury would ease those woes, but his timeline of recovery is far from concrete. 

Football Odds

In the attacking roles, Ilias Chair should come back into the XI behind Michael Frey, who has been a threatening forward since joining in the summer. QPR are yet to win at home this season, so changes may be made in an attempt to correct that. 

Pompey meanwhile have some positive news on the injury front as Kusini Yengi and Callum Lang both returned to training during the international break and could feature here. Lang could come straight into the XI for Elias Sorensen while Paddy Lane could come in for Josh Murphy on the wing. 

QPR vs Portsmouth Odds

QPR are priced at 4/5 to win this game, with Portsmouth available at 3/1. A draw can be backed at 23/10, over 2.5 goals is 5/6 and BTTS is 8/11. Zan Celar and Michael Frey are the joint favourites to score first at 11/2. 

BTTS @ 8/11

It might be easier to back two teams struggling for points at the bottom to play out a stinker of a 0-0, but I simply don’t think that will be the case. Both QPR and Pompey have reasonable attacking players, and in Portsmouth’s last seven outings, five have ended with both teams on the scoresheet. 

QPR meanwhile may not have won at home, but they have scored in every game at Loftus Road this season, and with the likes of Frey and Chair they should be able to find the net. Let’s plump for BTTS to get us up and running on this one. 

Draw or Portsmouth win @ 19/20

This one is so tough to call, but I think there is value in backing Pompey to avoid defeat. They’ve had a stinking run of fixtures so far, were awful against Stoke and drew with Oxford last time out, but they are now getting some key players back to full fitness. Yengi and Lang should improve them, while they’ve drawn two of their last three which should give them a small dose of confidence. 

They need to get their first win on the board, but I’m not 100 per cent sure it will happen here, though I believe they can avoid defeat. QPR haven’t won on home soil, and they are still struggling to nail down their playing style this term. Cifuentes was lauded as their saviour last term, but as Danny Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday continue their progress, the Spaniard hasn’t been able to pull off the same feat so far. A new contract brings more pressure, and I think the R’s will be left waiting for their first win. 

Offers

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Premier League or Championship game on Friday or Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Sunday’s games. (Credited upon Bet Settlement).

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.