QPR vs Ipswich preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports red button
Watch live on Sky Sports red button and the mobile app from 2.55pm on Boxing Day.
Monday 24 December 2018 13:08, UK
QPR will check on defender Joel Lynch ahead of the Boxing Day clash against Sky Bet Championship bottom club Ipswich.
Lynch missed the 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday with a dead leg, so will be assessed. Jordan Cousins could again start at right-back, while fit-again centre-half Grant Hall made a late substitute appearance, along with forward Matt Smith.
Centre-back Alex Baptiste is stepping up his match fitness, while defenders Geoff Cameron (ankle) and Angel Rangel (thigh) also continue their rehabilitation, as does on-loan Brighton forward Tomer Hemed (groin).
Ipswich boss Paul Lambert could hand Ellis Harrison another start after the Welsh forward's first goal for the club helped them secure a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United. Harrison, a summer signing from Bristol Rovers, was one of three changes as midfielders Andre Dozzell and Gwion Edwards both also came into the team.
Midfielder Grant Ward recovered from illness to make a subsitute appearance, while Flynn Downes was not named in the matchday squad, so could feature again.
Midfielders Tom Adeyemi (Achilles), Emyr Huws (knee) and Cole Skuse (knee) remain long-term absentees. Tayo Edun is receiving treatment back at parent club Fulham on an eye problem.
Opta stats
Queens Park Rangers have won five successive home games in all competitions against Ipswich Town - their best-ever home run against the Suffolk side.
The last time that QPR beat Ipswich Town both home and away in a single league season was in 2013-14, a season that the London club ended up winning promotion to the Premier League through the playoffs.
Ipswich Town have failed to score a goal in six of their last 11 matches against QPR in all competitions, netting just eight goals overall in this period.
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QPR last won a league game on Boxing Day in 2010, since losing four games (2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015) and drawing the last (2017).
QPR manager Steve McClaren has won each of his last three Championship matches against Ipswich, including a 2-0 win in this season's reverse fixture when the Tractor Boys were managed by Paul Hurst.
Ipswich have lost 12 of their last 16 away Championship games (W2 D2), losing both of their last two against Nottingham Forest and Stoke City.
Prutton's prediction
QPR well and truly have their groove back after two wins on the spin, and will be full of confidence as Ipswich come to Loftus Road on Boxing Day.
A couple of decent results make it seem as though Paul Lambert may be starting to turn things around, but they are still adrift at the bottom and I can't see that changing here. Home win.
David Prutton predicts: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
