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Both teams suffered defeats in the cup at the weekend and now only have the Championship to focus on. Reading are flying high in third place whereas Rangers find themselves in 15th but are coming off the back of two straight wins.
Reading, under Dutchman Jaap Stam, have been extremely consistent this season. Their attractive free-flowing style of play has brought many plaudits and more importantly points. They’ve been especially dominant at home, picking up 27 points with only Brighton securing more.
The Royals have lost just three of their last 11 league matches, which included a run of five wins between October and November. Stam’s side will certainly prove a difficult challenge for the R’s but if there’s a weakness in the Royals makeup it will be likely be in their defence. Reading have conceded 36 goals in the league this season and have shipped four or more goals on three separate occasions. Their philosophy of playing out from the back can lead to potential opportunities.
But it’s going forward where the home side have been so impressive this term. They seem to have struck the perfect balance of skill, technique and power illustrated by the quality of some of their goals and performances.
Earlier when the two sides met at Loftus Road this season it ended 1-1 after Pawel Wszołek’s first half strike was cancelled out by Danny Williams with both sides having chances to win it late on.
Ian Holloway would have taken a lot of positives from the last two results but he will know that his side will more than likely have to be near their best to take anything from this fixture.
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TEAM NEWS
QPR: Jordan Cousins is out with a thigh injury whilst James Perch could miss out through illness. New signing Kazenga Lua Lua will be in the squad as will Darnell Furlong and Michael Doughty who will be pushing for recalls after returning from their loans with Swindon. Both Jack Robinson and Steven Caulker remain side-lined.
Reading: Reading’s skipper Paul McShane will once again miss out with a wrist injury. Callum Harriott faces four to six weeks out with a hamstring injury, while Stephen Quinn (knee) and striker Deniss Rakels (ankle) remain doubts.
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MATCH ODDS
QPR win: 17/20
Draw: 13/5
Blackburn: 7/2
QPR first goal scorer: Idrissa Sylla 7/1
Reading first goal scorer: Garath McCleary 9/2
LAST TIME OUT
QPR 1 - 1 Reading - Championship, Saturday 15th October 2016
QPR goal-scorers: Paweł Wszołek
Reading goal-scorers: Danny Williams
HEAD TO HEAD
(In all competitions)
QPR wins: 28
Draws: 22
Reading wins: 38
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Oliver Langford
Assistant Referees: Steven Meredith and Nick Hopton
Fourth official: Andy Woolmer
Here's a good match preview from Clive Whittingham ... http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/footba...4766/twisting-all-the-way-to-reading--preview
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