Despite both once being Premier League regulars, both QPR and Portsmouth have been drawn into a Championship relegation scrap this season, both sitting in the drop zone, and both winless in five.
Contents
QPR vs Portsmouth prediction: Who will come out on top in relegation dogfight?
- QPR have just one league win this season, while their visitors are still winless.
- However, both have scored in three of their last five fixtures.
- Portsmouth have the worst defence in the league, conceding 20 in just nine games.
Correct score prediction: QPR 2-1 Portsmouth
Both QPR and Portsmouth have struggled this season. The Rs have continued to flounder despite last season's flirtation with relegation, and Pompey have not been able to make the step up after gaining promotion from League One.
However, with home advantage on their side, more Championship know-how and greater quality, we back QPR to edge this early relegation six-pointer.
Pre-game odds and win probability: R-rated favourites
HOME: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
DRAW: 11/4 (3.75) – 26.7%
AWAY: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
QPR are this clash's expected winners, with the bookmakers giving them a 52.4% chance of victory. We are inclined to agree.
For more tips on today's Championship action and more, check out our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: a long time coming
It has been well over a decade since these two last met in league action, with QPR dispatching Pompey 2-0 in their Championship winning season.
There have only been a smattering of cup clashes since, with the south coast side winning an EFL Cup clash at Loftus Road 2-0 back in 2019.
England EFL Cup 28/08/19
QPR
Portsmouth
England FA Cup 05/02/19
QPR
Portsmouth
England FA Cup 26/01/19
Portsmouth
QPR
QPR preview: a familiar struggle
QPR have finished 20th and 18th in the last two Championship seasons, with Loftus Road's faithful having only seen one push for promotion since their relegation from the Premier League in 2015.
This season looks to be following a similar pattern, with just two points from their last five.
Jack Colback, Jake Clarke-Salter and Liam Morrison will all miss this one through injury.
Predicted lineup: Nardi (GK), Ashby, Cook, Dunne, Paal, Madsen, Field, Dembele, Andersen, Saito, Frey
England Championship 03/05/25
W
Sunderland
0
QPR
1
England Championship 26/04/25
L
Burnley
5
QPR
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Swansea
2
QPR
1
England Championship 18/04/25
W
Preston
1
QPR
2
England Championship 12/04/25
D
Bristol City
1
QPR
1
Portsmouth preview: promotion paralysis
Pompey romped to the League One title last season, picking up 97 points and losing just five games. It felt like a big moment for a historic club who had toiled in the third tier for far too long.
But their return to the promised land has not gone to plan. Star striker Colby Bishop has cruelly missed all of the season with cardiac issues, and his side have struggled in his absence, still winless.
Pompey will also be without Callum Lang and Kusini Yengi for this one.
Predicted lineup: Schmid (GK), Williams, Poole, McIntyre, Ogilvie, Potts, Pack, Saydee, Dozzell, Murphy, O'Mahony
England Championship 03/05/25
D
Hull
1
Portsmouth
1
England Championship 26/04/25
D
Sheff Wed
1
Portsmouth
1
England Championship 21/04/25
W
Watford
0
Portsmouth
1
England Championship 18/04/25
W
Norwich
3
Portsmouth
5
England Championship 12/04/25
D
Derby
2
Portsmouth
2
Player to watch: Karamoko Dembele
It has not been a pleasant season for QPR so far, but one spark for the Rs has been their pint-sized attacker Karamoko Dembele.
The former Celtic starlet, 20, has been at the heart of everything good at Loftus Road this season. He has registered three assists, and leads the team in chances created and dribbles completed.
If QPR are to record a much needed win over their fellow strugglers, they will need a strong showing from Dembele.