QPR v Southampton FC: Latest team news, TV/Live Stream, tickets, kick-off time
All you need to know ahead of QPR’s game against Southampton at Loftus Road on Saturday.
Marti Cifuentes made an excellent start to life as QPR head coach after replacing Gareth Ainsworth in late October, but his side have dropped points against two of their relegation rivals in the last two matches.
After drawing 0-0 at home to Plymouth Argyle last Wednesday night, despite the Pilgrims playing much of the game with 10 men, the R’s were beaten 2-1 by Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday.
The R’s took the lead in the 37th minute when Bambo Diaby diverted Ilias Chair’s strike into his own net, but Wednesday improved in the second half, and they deservedly equalised in the 86th minute through Bailey Cadamarteri.
Substitute Osman Kakay missed an excellent chance to restore the Hoops’ advantage, and the Owls sealed all three points in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Anthony Musaba fired home after Ashley Fletcher’s header hit the post.
Cifuentes’ side currently sit 22nd in the table, two points from safety.
| Championship Table (As it stands December 18th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 17 | Birmingham City | 21 | -5 | 26 |
| 18 | Swansea City | 22 | -1 | 25 |
| 19 | Stoke City | 22 | -9 | 23 |
| 20 | Millwall | 22 | -7 | 22 |
| 21 | Huddersfield Town | 22 | -15 | 22 |
| 22 | QPR | 22 | -12 | 20 |
| 23 | Sheffield Wednesday | 22 | -19 | 16 |
| 24 | Rotherham United | |||
Southampton extended their unbeaten run to 14 games with an emphatic 4-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at St Mary’s on Saturday.
Stuart Armstrong and Will Smallbone both went close for the Saints before they went ahead just before half time when Samuel Edozie finished from close range for his second goal in two games.
Rovers were reduced to 10 men when Callum Brittain was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, and Southampton took full advantage, with Armstrong doubling their lead in the 64th minute.
The Saints were then awarded a penalty when Hayden Carter brought down Sekou Mara, but Carlos Alcaraz blazed his spot-kick over the bar.
However, the hosts would find the back of the net twice in injury time, with Mara and Alcaraz both getting on the scoresheet to seal a comprehensive victory.
Russell Martin’s men are fourth in the table, 10 points behind second-placed Ipswich Town and 13 points behind leaders Leicester City.
| Championship Table (As it stands December 20th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Leicester City | 22 | 28 | 55 |
| 2 | Ipswich Town | 22 | 19 | 52 |
| 3 | Leeds United | 22 | 15 | 42 |
| 4 | Southampton | 22 | 8 | 42 |
| 5 | West Brom | 22 | 12 | 36 |
| 6 | Hull City | 22 | 7 | 36 |
| 7 | Sunderland | 22 | 8 | 33 |
| 8 | Preston North End | 22 | -10 | 32 |
