Ben Parker has made his predictions for Leeds United’s trip to Queens Park Rangers tomorrow night.
The Whites will try to capitalize on Monday night’s 4-3 success over Middlesbrough by winning consecutive games for the first time since before the international break.
With Leicester City’s impressive 5-0 victory over Southampton all but ensuring their promotion, it’s now a two-horse contest for second place between Leeds and Ipswich Town.
Leeds is now one point ahead of Ipswich in second place, but they have played one more game. With Daniel Farke’s team playing first this weekend, a win would put extra pressure on Ipswich ahead of trips to Hull and Coventry City.
Leeds will have had 48 hours less preparation time than QPR for the match, which BBC analyst Jon Newsome finds ‘disgusting’, but ideally this can be turned into a benefit.
Parker predicts the outcome of QPR vs. Leeds on Friday.
Leeds should be confident heading into this game after returning to winning ways with four goals.
However, they could face a QPR side that is set up similarly to how Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers recently defeated Leeds.
Leeds have struggled against deep defenders all season, and with QPR so close to ensuring survival, it would be understandable if they were content with a point.
Parker predicted on the latest episode of the LS11 Podcast that QPR will set up that way, but he believes Leeds would have enough to get three points.
He said: “It always feels like Loftus Road is a tight, small pitch, and [QPR’s lack of safety] definitely adds to how they will set up, which is defensive. Four points for them, but with so many teams between them and the bottom three, you’d think they’re secure.
“They will be looking at this game thinking if they can get a point, that pretty much should see them in the Championship for next season, so you can see them playing for a point which could make it difficult for Leeds.
“But following on from Monday, Summerville back to his best, Rutter looked somewhere near his best, Gnonto flying, Bamford getting his goal. The front four all played well the other night having kind of been off it against Sunderland and Blackburn. That’s a massive difference.
“It’s going to be tight, I can’t see it being a basketball game like against Boro so you just need a moment from one of them four, and we’ll get that. Staying patient, and then defensively as a team, staying strong because QPR will get a moment or two. Clean sheet and we’ll win the game. Prediction: QPR 0-2 Leeds.“
Leeds will need to overcome QPR’s poor away record.
This is another crucial meeting in Leeds’ quest for the top two, as anything less than a win will give Ipswich the advantage ahead of their next two games.
And in order to take the three points, Leeds must significantly improve their recent record at Loftus Road, which does not make for pleasant reading.
Leeds have won just one of their last seven visits to QPR, including three consecutive defeats. Their last victory came in December 2017, when Kemar Roofe scored a hat trick to secure a 3-1 triumph.
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