QPR vs Stoke preview
Friday 8 March 2019 14:24, UK
QPR forward Matt Smith is a doubt for the Sky Bet Championship match against Stoke.
Smith picked up an ankle problem during training on Thursday, and manager Steve McClaren confirmed the club were awaiting to discover the full extent of the injury.
Defenders Angel Rangel (thigh) and Geoff Cameron (ankle) have stepped up their rehabilitation ahead of a potential return. On-loan Cameron, who would not have been eligible to play against his parent club, may come into contention for next week's two matches.
Stoke will check on midfielder Peter Etebo ahead of the trip to west London. Etebo is doubtful after picking up a groin strain during last weekend's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, having earlier scored the opening goal.
Forward Sam Vokes continues to be assessed on a groin problem which saw him miss the Forest game. Potters boss Nathan Jones confirmed there were a "few war wounds" and he was "waiting on a couple of players" before selecting the squad.
Opta stats
This is the first league meeting between QPR and Stoke at Loftus Road since September 2014, when the sides played out a 2-2 draw in the Premier League.
Stoke are unbeaten in five league meetings with QPR (W3 D2 L0) since a 0-1 defeat in May 2012.
QPR have taken just three points from their last 27 available in the Championship (W1 L8), although that single win did come in their most recent home game (1-0 v Leeds).
Stoke are winless in 20 league visits to London (W0 D7 L13) since a 2-1 win at Spurs in November 2014.
QPR midfielder Luke Freeman has netted seven league goals this season, already his joint-most in a single campaign in the Football League (also seven in 2014-15 for Bristol City and in 2011-12 for Stevenage).
18 of Stoke's last 19 goals in the Championship have been scored from open play, with their only set piece goal in this run coming via a penalty (against Aston Villa in December 2018).
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
