This Week's Opposition: Queens Park Rangers

Learn more about QPR, the Blues' next Championship opponent.

Before the final international break of the season, Portsmouth have 1 more fixture to contest - Queens Park Rangers the opponents at Loftus Road.

MANAGER

QPR are managed by Julien Stéphan, who took over the job from Martí Cifuentes in the summer following his departure to Championship rivals Leicester City.

Since arriving, the French former Rennes and Strasbourg boss has achieved 14 wins from 40 matches, accruing a win percentage of 35.

ONE TO WATCH

Like the Blues, Julien Stéphan’s side have a bit of an injury crisis to contend with too, so our ‘One To Watch’ has been carefully selected from those that we expect to be fit for the weekend.

The likes of Karamoko Dembele and Ilias Chair have been sidelined recently so on this occasion, we’ve gone for Japanese winger Kōki Saitō.

He is 24-years-of-age, wears the number 14 shirt and has 5 goal contributions from 31 league matches this term.

Saitō signed from Belgian outfit Lommel in the summer having enjoyed a successful loan spell with the West London side last season.

TOP SCORER

Netting 10 league goals so far this campaign, Jamaican forward Rumarn Burrell is The Hoops’ leading scorer.

The 25-year-old, who joined for an undisclosed fee from Burton Albion last July, is however currently out injured, nursing a hamstring problem after landing awkwardly from a header against Sheffield United in January.

Latest reports suggest that he is not expected to return to action this weekend.

CURRENT FORM

Early to mid-season hopes of a Play-Off push have recently been dampened with a poor run of form which has left QPR in 16th position - Firmly in mid-table obscurity just 11 points above the relegation zone and 10 points adrift of the top 6.

Prior to last week’s 3-1 win at Leicester, they had suffered 4 straight defeats in the Championship, conceding 12 goals and scoring none!

The Hoops are winless in 3 home matches and last tasted victory at Loftus Road when they shocked league leaders Coventry City there on January 31st, recording a 2-1 scoreline.

Last season, John Mousinho’s side won both matches against this opponent to claim their only league double of the campaign. This time around, they managed a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at Fratton Park and head into this match winless in 5, just 1 point above the drop.

Will fortune favour the bold? Can the Blues secure a much-needed return to winning ways?

Join Jake Smith, Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson LIVE on Express FM from 2pm on Saturday (March 21st) for full coverage of Queens Park Rangers vs Portsmouth at Loftus Road.

Kick-off: 3pm!