A horribly out-of-sorts Sunderland side welcome a somewhat resurgent QPR to The Stadium of Light in Championship action this weekend.
Key Takeaways
- Sunderland have lost six games in a row
- QPR have won three of their last five games
- The hosts are without top scorer Jack Clarke
Sunderland's abysmal form since the start of February has well and truly put any hopes of a playoff push to bed. Meanwhile, QPR remain embroiled in a bitter relegation scrap at the foot of the table. Both teams need a win, one for morale and one for survival.
Sunderland Form
Having once been in a solid position to compete for a Championship playoff berth again, Sunderland are a sinking ship. Interim boss Mike Dodds has been unable to inspire his squad and The Black Cats come into this clash having lost six games on the bounce.
Queens Park Rangers Form
QPR are heading in the right direction in their battle to stay in the second tier. Their loss to Middlesbrough last time out ended a run of three wins and a draw, which for a team looking over their shoulder near the bottom of the table, is stellar form.
Head-to-Head
Sunderland have won three of the last five meetings between the two teams in all competitions, with QPR winning one and the other ending in a draw.
Team News
Interim head coach Mike Dodds is still without several key players as he looks to address the slide his team are on. Arguably their most talented creative force Jack Clarke is still sidelined. Meanwhile, Jenson Seelt picked up a long-term injury last time out against Southampton. Perhaps most troubling is the lack of Luke O'Nien who will serve the second of a two-game ban.
QPR boss Martí Cifuentes should have a full squad to choose from.
Key Players
The hosts' best player is Jack Clarke, whose 15 goals from out wide make him the joint-fourth top scorer in the division. Unfortunately for Sunderland, he won't be available for this clash. Young Jobe Bellingham, brother of Jude, will likely carry many fans' hopes of producing something special this weekend.
Morocco international winger Ilias Chair is the creative talisman for the visitors, having chipped in with a crucial five goals and six assists in the league so far this season. His influence cannot be summed up in mere numbers, and he's already on the radar of several Premier League clubs with good reason.
Final Thoughts
QPR have all the momentum, but as every betting man knows, losing runs always have to come to an end. Sunderland will fancy this as an opportunity to finally stop the rot against one of the weaker teams on paper in the division. It should prove an intriguing encounter, one which is rather difficult to call.
Championship