Huddersfield v QPR: Terriers can take down weary Rangers

Huddersfield v QPR
Friday April 15, 17:30
Sky Sports

Huddersfield maintain promotion push

Huddersfield consolidated their top-six Championship claims as the Terriers overcame play-off rivals Luton 2-0 in an edgy game at the John Smith's Stadium on Monday night. Town took the lead just before the hour mark when Jon Russell expertly lobbed in following Pipa's short throw-in with Naby Sarr making sure of the win when heading home late on.

Carlos Corberan's troops survived a second-half scare when Elijah Adebayo missed a penalty for Luton after Danel Sinani brought down James Bree. But Huddersfield held on impressively to move into third, four points behind second-placed Bournemouth with five matches still to play, although the Cherries have two games in-hand over the Terriers.

Speaking post-match, Corberan said: "I think it was a very equal, a very balanced game and in these games, the details can be the difference. Today, in my opinion, they were in our favour, which allowed us to win that game, plus the mentality of the team was very good and the defensive level of the team was high, too. We defended very well throughout."

QPR campaign unravels

Mark Warburton's future as QPR manager has been thrown into doubt as Rangers' promising campaign unravels. The R's have dropped to 11th in the Championship and six points shy of the play-off places following a run of only two league victories in 13 since February (W2-D2-L9), including seven losses in the most recent eight outings.

QPR were beaten 2-1 at Preston last time out, with a first half own goal from Jimmy Dunne followed by Cameron Archer's strike shortly after the restart doing the damage. Andre Gray pulled a goal back with a late penalty but Rangers' have been hamstrung by a series of key absentees recently, with third-choice goalkeeper Keiren Westwood the latest casualty.

Westwood had to withdraw from the team due to illness meaning 20-year-old youngster Murphy Mahoney made his senior debut at Deepdale. But the R's were also without Chris Willock, star centre-half Rob Dickie, plus fellow defenders Yoann Barbet and Lee Wallace - Warburton is hoping to have the latter two back for Good Friday's game.

Terriers appeal at odds-against

Huddersfield have had the upper-hand in recent match-ups with QPR, posting an impressive W5-D1-L1 head-to-head record going back to 2015. Town were turned over in the reverse encounter back in November but do boast a solid W7-D2-L2 return when entertaining Rangers at the John Smith's Stadium in league action since the 1996/97 season.

Huddersfield 2.0811/10 were the Championship's form team going back to the beginning of December as the Terriers put together an exceptional 17-game unbeaten streak. Back-to-back losses halted progress but Town have bounced back by beating Hull and Luton, and have now lost just seven of their 37 showdowns against sides outside of the top-two.

QPR 3.953/1 are in their worst run of form this season. Hampered by injury, unavailability and with the play-offs now looking highly unlikely, Warburton's position is being considered by the Rangers hierarchy. The visitors have lost on six of their last seven away days and failed to even score in four of those losses, whilst winning just twice since February.

Goals at a premium at the John Smith's

Huddersfield's outings favour a low-scoring approach with Corberan's side returning rock-solid defensive numbers. Only Sheffield United (17) have kept as many shutouts as the Terriers' tally, suggesting Good Friday's fixture could prove to be quite a tight affair, especially considering what's at stake for the Terriers in the promotion picture.

Under 2.5 Goals is understandably short at 1.738/11 but backing Huddersfield to win and Under 3.5 Goals gives us an appealing 2.506/4 shot. Eight of the Terriers' 11 home victories have come alongside Under 3.5 Goals, whilst eight of QPR's 10 away losses have followed suit.