Home strong Rangers expect Luton in the derby
The toughest second division in the world is also an extremely balanced league. At the top, two teams have broken away, but behind them, the majority of the league presents itself on an equal footing. There are just four points between sixth and 15th place in the table – and the sixth-placed team in the table even has a chance of promotion at the end of the season thanks to the play-offs. After the third international break of the 2021/22 season, the matchday kicks off on Friday night with the London city derby between QPR and Luton.
In the Championship, the players hardly have any breathers and one English week follows the next. This weekend already the 18th matchday will be played. The two teams from London can be found in the wide midfield-pulp mentioned above. At the bookmakers, QPR against Luton is considered favourite according to current odds and betting odds around 2.20 are offered.
One reason for this assessment is certainly the relatively good home record of the home side as well as Luton’s recent performances away from home. A detailed look at both clubs can be found in the coming lines. Friday night’s match at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium kicks off at 20:45.
QPR – Statistics & current form
Meanwhile, Mark Warburton has been head coach at Queens Park Rangers since May 2019. Ian Holloway last had a longer tenure with the Super Hoops, from February 2001 to February 2006. A number of coaches have been used up in the last 15 years, including a second Holloway tenure. It was only with Mark Warburton that the former PL club’s form curve pointed upwards again.
Continuous improvement
The development under Warburton – who was formerly with Glasgow Rangers – has been remarkable. After a disappointing 19th place finish, he took over the club and initially led them to a 13th place finish before last year’s ninth place finish was their first top ten finish since relegation in 2014/15.
Queens Park Rangers are currently in sixth place. No one wants to talk about a possible Premier League return yet, after all, there are still 29 league games to be played this season and the field is very crowded.
However, the development under Warburton is absolutely satisfactory. The majority of QPR’s squad are in their prime footballing years (between 23 and 26), but also have experience to show for it. The future prospects are finally positive once again.
Only one home defeat in 2021/22
The good position in the current Championship table is mainly due to the very strong results at home. QPR only lost the home game against Bristol City, in the remaining seven games there were four home wins and three draws.
In the process, the Warburton eleven collected ten points out of a possible twelve in their most recent four home games. Given those numbers, Friday night’s QPR vs Luton is definitely a home win prediction.
Predicted line-up of QPR:
Dieng – Dunne, Barbet, Dickie – Odubajo, Amos, Dozzell, Adomah – Willock, Chair – Dykes
Last matches played by QPR:
Championship
11/06 2021 – Blackpool 1 – 1 Queens Park Rangers
11/03 2021 – Cardiff 0 – 1 Queens Park Rangers
10/29 2021 – Queens Park Rangers 1 – 1 Nottingham Forest
Carabao Cup
10/26 2021 – Queens Park Rangers (1)0 – 0(3) Sunderland
Championship
10/23 2021 – Peterboro 2 – 1 Queens Park Rangers
Luton – Statistics & current form
Compared to the successes of Queens Park Rangers, Luton Town are a grey mouse in English football. In fact, far more people probably associate Luton with the airport than the football team based there.
The club has never played in the Premier League, not so long ago Luton was no longer part of the Football League at all and only represented in the Conference Premier League. Since 2014/15, the team has returned to professional football and fought its way back to the second division in recent years.
The defence is convincing
While QPR have one or two players with many years of PL experience, Luton are a no-name team. Nathan Jones’ team has been convincing so far this season, especially with its strong defence.
Although they have conceded 22 goals in 17 games, which is well over one goal per game, Croatian goalkeeper Simon Sluga has managed to keep his box clean in seven of the 17 games so far. Only three teams (Bournemouth, Birmingham and Swansea) have more ‘nil’ games to their name so far in 2021/22. Accordingly, between QPR and Luton, betting on Under 2.5 is a recommended option. Before the international break, five of Luton’s last seven Championship games ended with two goals or less.
Predicted Luton line-up:
Sluga – Burke, Bradley, Naismith – Bell, Campbell, Osho, Mpanzu, Bree – Adebayo, Cornick
Last matches played by Luton:
Championship
11/06 2021 – Luton 0 – 1 Stoke
11/02 2021 – Luton 3 – 1 Middlesboro
10/30 2021 – Preston 2 – 0 Luton
10/23 2021 – Luton 1 – 0 Hull
10/19 2021 – Derby 2 – 2 Luton
QPR – Luton Direct comparison / H2H record
In the small London city derby between QPR and Luton, betting on the draw has been the most common result so far. In the different competitions, 62 duels can be found in the database so far, 24 games ended in a draw. Queens Park Rangers celebrated 23 victories, while Luton won 15 matches.
In the recent past, the pendulum has clearly swung in the direction of the Super Hoops. QPR won five of their last six league games (one draw). Last season they also won both of their matches by two goals to one (2-0 and 3-1).
QPR – Luton Tip
A balanced record after 17 matchdays is enough in the Championship to keep contact with the promotion places/playoffs. The league is largely balanced and almost every team will have to endure a weak phase sooner or later. The season so far has been absolutely satisfactory for these two teams. QPR have eight points more on the credit side than last year after 17 games, Luton have collected one point more.
In the direct duel to open the 18th matchday, a lot speaks for the home side. The squad is qualitatively stronger, the home record of Rangers can be seen and Luton often has problems away from home. The sum of these aspects results in the betting recommendation for a home win for Queens Park Rangers between QPR and Luton
