Championship: Boro can end previous QPR misery at Riverside
Published:
Lee Gormley | November 19, 2015
Middlesbrough v QPR
- Championship
- Friday, November 20th
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Boro battle QPR in Championship clash
Middlesbrough enter their latest Championship clash with misfiring QPR aiming to end a hapless run in this fixture, having lost their previous four domestic encounters since 2010, including three defeats without scoring.
Although, the hosts have been in the more encouraging form in recent weeks, climbing to fourth spot in the table, just four points adrift of current leaders Hull City, and Aitor Karanka’s men are 7/4 with Coral to win to nil.
Boro are unbeaten in their last six games on home turf this term, including five victories, while recently-appointed QPR coach Neil Warnock will look to overturn QPR’s recent soft form, winning just once in six domestic outings.
Boro to bounce back
Karanka’s Northeast outfit were on the receiving end of a thrashing from Championship leaders Hull in their most recent league outing though, helplessly losing 3-0 to the Tigers, but they will be desperate to put that result right with three points against the R’s.
“We won three games in a row before Hull so we will all [teams at the top] where we have a run of wins and other games teams will lose. Reading lost the last game and Derby lost the last game,” stated Karanka.
“I prefer to work in our way and to not be concerned. I’m really confident because I have an amazing squad.”
Can QPR return to form?
The visitors are 4/1 to amend their stuttering streak with three points on the road, but they face a tough task of doing so, having been defeated in their last four away games, including three clashes without getting on the scoresheet.
Boro boss Karanka isn’t dwelling on recent form, claiming it means nothing and asked his players to prepare for a QPR side whose position in the table doesn’t reflect their strength in depth.
“They have players who have played in the Premier League and players who have played in the Champions League,” continued Karanka.
“They have an experienced manager and they have one of the best squads in the league.”
Amorebieta an absence
The hosts will be without defender Fernando Amorebieta, after he sustained an injury during the loss to Hull, which meant he had to pull out of the Venezuela squad during the recent international break.
Charlie Austin will look to capitalise on a weakened rear guard, and the England international call-up is 7/1 to open proceedings in his latest outing, while talented forward partner Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is 3/1 to strike anytime.
QPR Fer-y hopeful
Despite the visitors having dropped down to a daunting 13th position, having won only two of their last 11 games, midfielder Leroy Fer is still hopeful that his side can come out on top and overturn fortunes with domestic football returning after the international break.
“They’re higher in the league that we are at the moment and they play at home on Friday, so they’ll be favourites,” stated the Netherlands international, who is 7/2 to net anytime.
“They’re a very strong team, who reached the Play-Offs last season, but we are a strong team as well and we will be going there to try and win the game.”
Boro will hope Dave Nugent (4/1 first scorer), fellow frontman Kike (6/4 anytime market) and Stewart Downing (6/1 last goal) can provide an attacking threat capable of overcoming their London opponents and end a dismal fixture run on home soil in this returning Championship match-up.
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