Who will win the chasing duel?

The English Championship is considered the toughest 2nd division in world football. That’s definitely true in some parts, with 46 games in the season and playoffs to follow, the road to the Premier League is rocky.

Before the QPR vs Reading match, the odds indicate a favourite role for the hosts. But: Both teams have been able to show good moments so far in the new season.

That’s why both are in the chasing pack and relatively high up in the table. So a win against a direct competitor would be very important for both teams. Kick-off is on Friday at 9 p.m.

QPR – Statistics & current form

QPR have made it to the Premier League every now and then in the past and also seem to be one of the teams that could at least register corresponding ambitions in the current season. The coach is Michael Beale and the team is coming into the clash with Reading with a 1-0 away win at league leaders Sheffield United. So the chest is broad, the confidence in their own strength is there.

Chris Willock (6 goals) and Ilias Chair (3 goals, 5 assists) have taken centre stage so far. Both are part of QPR’s three-man attack and both are playing a very good role. For the hosts from London it will be about not allowing too much against Reading and using these two players frequently. Then the next win can also come. But the opponents will of course try to fight back as best they can.

The results of the hosts read very decent overall. 21 points from twelve games are a good record, even if not an outstanding one. QPR have recently been unbeaten four times in a row, conceding only one goal. So the form fits.

An exciting few weeks await QPR

Generally, QPR’s statistics read very neatly. 17 goals from twelve games are still somewhat improvable, but the twelve goals conceded in such an intense league are definitely worth mentioning. At home, the hosts have scored slightly less than away from home, but the difference is only 0.25 points per game. The next few weeks could be decisive when it comes to identifying a trend. Reading, Luton, Cardiff, Wigan: The opponents are not easy to play.

But the good basic stability of the last weeks gives hope. QPR have only conceded more than one goal in two league games this season. A drop of bitterness, however, was the elimination in the EFL Cup against Charlton Athletic, when the team was defeated on penalties. But overall, the trend is definitely going in the right direction.

Both teams have quality in their squads and both teams are playing a decent season. Therefore, before the match QPR vs Reading, our prediction is that both teams will also score goals.

Predicted line-up of QPR:
Dieng – Laird, Balogun, Clarke-Salter, Paal – Field, Dozzell, Amos – Roberts, Willock, Chair

Last matches played by QPR:

Championship
05/10/2022 – Sheffield United 0 – 1 Queens Park Rangers

01/10/2022 – Bristol City 1 – 2 Queens Park Rangers

17/09/2022 – Queens Park Rangers 0 – 0 Stoke

15/09/2022 – Millwall 0 – 2 Queens Park Rangers

03/09/2022 – Swansea 1 – 0 Queens Park Rangers

Reading – Statistics & current form

On Tuesday, Reading FC were already in action in a top-of-the-table match, drawing 1-1 at home to Norwich City, and the result certainly satisfied the team and coach Paul Ince. Their own qualities were shown once again, Reading played very disciplined and defended well. So after a short interim low, the visitors have bounced back, most recently picking up seven points from three games.

Reading have won seven of their twelve games in the Championship. It is striking that there is a big discrepancy between home and away games. Away from home, Reading have won only twice and scored 1.2 points per game, while at home they have won five times and averaged 2.29 points.

Straightening out this discrepancy seems to be the biggest task now. Coach Ince has recently opted for a 3-5-2 formation, which is working better and better. Continuity also in the formation question should be helpful to achieve their own goals. There is one thing in common with hosts QPR, Reading have also already been knocked out of the EFL Cup (1:2 against Stevenage).

Offensively, Reading still have some catching up to do

One of the basic principles of Reading’s game is to be relatively stable. The work against the ball is enormously important, which is why there have already been four games in the league without conceding a goal, which is a decent value. Offensively, there are still some problems, which is shown by the fact that the team has failed to score four times. Especially away from home, the team scored relatively few goals, two in five games.

Of course, a team can also be successful if it does not offer the great spectacle in the forward play. But in order to win close games, it would be important to show a little more penetrating power in order to get the last percentage points out of them. Of the top 9 in the league, Reading have the second weakest attack.

However, because the visitors are dropping significantly away from home and QPR have performed well recently, our value tip ahead of the QPR vs Reading game is that the home side will take the three points.

Predicted Reading line-up:
Lumley – Moore, Holmes, McIntyre – Yiadom, Loum, Hendrick, Baba, Fornah – Lucas Joao, Long

Last matches played by Reading:

Championship
05/10/2022 – Reading 1 – 1 Norwich

01/10/2022 – Reading 3 – 1 Huddersfield

17/09/2022 – Wigan 0 – 1 Reading

15/09/2022 – Reading 0 – 3 Sunderland

04/09/2022 – Reading 2 – 1 Stoke

QPR – Reading Direct comparison / H2H record

So far, the two teams have faced each other in 37 games. Ten times QPR won, 13 times Reading walked off the field as winners. In pre-season QPR celebrated a 4-0 at home, the other game ended 3-3, so it was very high-scoring. At 38:37, Reading have a minimal advantage in goals scored.

QPR – Reading Tip

QPR and Reading both seem to have good cards at the moment to establish themselves at the top. Both clubs are playing their qualities very well so far. Now comes the direct duel, which can be groundbreaking.

Based on the omens and statistics, our tip at fair betting odds before the QPR vs Reading match is that both teams will score in this game.