The January transfer window has now closed. Now, Queens Park Rangers can focus on achieving survival for another season in the Championship, with a massive game away at Blackburn Rovers to come this weekend.
Rangers certainly strengthened coming out of the winter market, having signed the likes of Michael Frey from Belgian champions Royal Antwerp for an undisclosed fee, as well as Isaac Hayden from Newcastle United and Joe Hodge from Wolverhampton Wanderers, both on loan.
Furthermore, the London club have managed to get back on track and stay alive in the fight to stay another year in England’s second tier. Marti Cifuentes’side are sitting third from bottom, three points behind safety but missed a big opportunity to gain more ground on Huddersfield Town in the two clubs’ 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Next up for Queens Park Rangers is a visit to Blackburn Rovers. The Lancashire club have been in dismal form recently and currently boast the worst defensive record in the Championship, having conceded 53 goals in just 28 matches so far.
However, the Riversiders managed to book their place in the next round of the FA Cup with an emphatic 4-1 win over League Two outfit Wrexham which could be the catalyst behind the side bouncing back into form. Pundit David Prutton certainly thinks so.
Writing in his EFL predictions column for Sky Sports, the former Leeds United star predicted a 2-0 win for the hosts at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon against QPR.
“It may have come against League Two opposition, but that could turn out to be a big win against Wrexham for Blackburn. It may well help halt what has been an alarming slump in form.
“QPR got a big result of their own in the league on Sunday. They would have wanted to beat Huddersfield of course, but six points adrift would have been perilous, so to score late on and take a point may prove a real boost. Can they build on that at Ewood Park? I’m not sure they can. Home win.”
Writer’s View
This is a big game for both clubs. A win for Queens Park Rangers would bring them closer to safety, with Huddersfield facing off against Sheffield Wednesday at the same time in another colossal clash for the relegation battle.
Meanwhile, a defeat for Blackburn would bring them to within just five points of the relegation zone and fan frustrations with head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson would grow even louder, particularly after what was a busy deadline day for the club.
