PREVIEW: QUEENS PARK RANGERS (A)

26 January 2024

We take a comprehensive look ahead at our next Sky Bet Championship opponents

- Queens Park Rangers vs Huddersfield Town
- Sunday 28 January 2024; 1.30pm kick-off
- Full preview of what to expect from QPR on Sunday

Two goals inside the first 15 minutes saw Town see off Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at the John Smith’s Stadium in October, with Kian Harratt and Jack Rudoni on the scoresheet.

Boasting a good record against Rangers, the Terriers have lost just once in their previous 12 meetings, and are unbeaten in four. Two goals from Josh Ruffels gave us all three points on our last visit to Loftus Road, scoring a memorable overhead effort from outside of the box.

Last beaten at Loftus Road in November 2021, a late goal from Luke Amos in a midweek game under the lights undid Town on that occasion.

THE OPPOSITION

Having allowed 31 players to leave permanently and 11 more on loan since the summer with nine new faces replacing them, it has been a transitional period for Queens Park Rangers both on and off the field. Making a managerial change in October with Gareth Ainsworth departing and Martí Cifuentes taking over, the club also changed their chairman in November, too.

Having not been in the third tier of English football since the 2003/04 season, they have had three seasons in the Premier League since that time, with the majority of their football being played in the Sky Bet Championship after they retained their place in the division last season with a 20th placed finish.

Currently sitting in 22nd place in the Sky Bet Championship three points and one position behind Town, a win for the home side on Sunday will see them climb out of the bottom three for the first time since September.

THEIR MANAGER

41-year-old Martí Cifuentes moved into coaching earlier than usual after a career as a player failed to materialise as a long-term option. Starting in his native Spain, spells with Ajax and Millwall at youth level gave him further experience before his managerial career began with Segunda División B club Sant Andreu in 2014 after a short spell with Rubí the year previous.

Moving next to Catalonia based Hospitalet, his next major career change was to Scandinavian football, with three jobs across Norway, Denmark and Sweden at Sandefjord, AaB and Hammarby respectively after a spell with AIK’s academy. Departing that final role in Stockholm to move to London with Queens Park Rangers in October 2023, it’s the Spaniard’s first time back in England since his time with Millwall in 2007.

LAST TIME OUT

A first win in seven Sky Bet Championship fixtures for QPR, goals from Chair and Armstrong saw off Millwall 2-0 in Shepherd’s Bush to give Martí Cifuentes his fourth win in charge.

Just their sixth win of the year, QPR have now won as many - three - at home as they have away, with only the league to concentrate on having exited both domestic cup competitions at the same stage as Town this season.

Welcoming back a number of their first choice starters in recent weeks, the win and performance will give them renewed belief, especially against a Millwall side who had shown signs of improvement in recent outings.

Previous Starting XI: Begovic; Cannon, S Cook, Clarke-Salter, Paal; Colback, Field; Willock, Dykes, Chair; Armstrong (4-2-3-1)

FORMATION

QPR have adapted between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 since Cifuentes took charge at the end of October, with their four wins in that time split evenly between each system.

Looking to keep hold of the ball, build with pace and have a fluidity between defence and attack, the major difference between each set up is how the side approach the middle of the pitch, with either one holding player or two operating from the start.

Often interchanging between the two mid-game depending on the scoreline, they can either add an extra body in the final third or look to sure things up in the middle and give extra cover to their defence.

WHO TO WATCH

Kenneth Paal

Left-back Paal has been one of QPR’s most consistent performers over the past two seasons, with three goals and an assist from defence this campaign underlining his importance. An outlet for the side out wide, his ability to contribute at both ends of the field gives the team a different point of attack, with Paal registering the most appearances for the club this season in the Sky Bet Championship playing in each of the 30 games he’s been included in the squad for.

Sinclair Armstrong

20-year-old Irish forward Sinclair Armstrong has risen to prominence over the past two seasons, breaking through into their first team after joining from Shamrock Rovers. National League loans with Torquay United and Aldershot Town gave him senior experience, with the forward now a full international for the Republic of Ireland. Netting three goals and contributing two assists in 25 appearances so far, he began their last fixture up front.

Lyndon Dykes

Scottish-Australian forward Dykes has scored a team best five goals this season, with the 28-year-old now in his fourth season with QPR after signing from Livingston. While a recognised centre-forward, Dykes has played in attacking midfield five times this year, and appeared on the left wing once too - making room for Armstrong ahead of him, he has started their past two fixtures in attacking midfield. Standing at 6’2, he is a physical presence in both boxes, with his hold up play bringing others into the game in the final third.

TOWN TEAM NEWS

Huddersfield Town Manager Darren Moore will spoke to the media today, Friday 26 January, ahead of this weekend’s Sky Bet Championship fixture with Queens Park Rangers.

Supporters were able to watch live on HTTV via YouTube and on our official Twitter/X channel, with defender Radinio Balker also speaking to the media before the Manager - watch back everything they both had to say below.

KIT

Town will be back in black at Loftus Road on Sunday, wearing our Third Kit in West London.

Having proven popular with supporters, CLICK HERE to make one your own before the weekend!

16x9 Brodie Spencer Manchester City.jpg

iFOLLOW HTAFC

Selected for exclusive live broadcast by Sky Sports, this fixture will only be available to stream in selected dark markets.

However, supporters will still be able to access live match commentary on iFollow HTAFC with both season passes and match passes for just £2.50.

To find out more about iFollow, please CLICK HERE to find out more.

SKY SPORTS

Supporters unable to join us in West London who want to follow the game live will be able to watch every kick at Loftus Road via Sky Sports, who have selected the fixture for exclusive live broadcast.

The match is available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 1pm on Sunday.

Match Reports

REPORT: QPR 1-1 TOWN

28 January 2024

Late QPR equaliser denies Terriers three points.

- Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Huddersfield Town
- Jack Rudoni gives Town a second half lead
- 95th minute equaliser denies us a vital win

A late, late equaliser from QPR defender Kenneth Paal meant that Town only left West London with a share of the spoils in front of the live Sky Sports cameras on Sunday afternoon.

Town enjoyed the better chances in the game and took the lead late on when Jack Rudoni netted his fourth of the season, only for Paal to knee the ball home deep into added time to secure a point for his side.

Moore switched the shape of the team to a 4-2-3-1, introducing Bojan Radulovic in attack for his first start and moving Rhys Healey to the right side, with Sorba Thomas largely on the left in the first half.

The first half was a full-blooded affair between two teams with a lot to play for but lacked in clear goalscoring opportunities.

At one end, Rangers’ athletic forward Sinclair Armstrong was a handful for Helik and Lees, looking to run behind to latch on to balls over the top whilst doing a good job in the physical battle. The close attention he needed led to a booking for Helik early in the game.

In the Rangers box, Town had chances to deliver but couldn’t find the quality delivery needed. Sorba Thomas, on his 100th Sky Bet Championship start, was repeatedly fouled early on, but couldn’t find a teammate in black with his subsequent free kick deliveries.

Thomas did get his delivery right early on from an excellent sixth minute corner, and that led to the game’s first half-chance. Healey got on the end of it at the near post but headed the ball against the shoulder of his marker, with the ricochet flying over the crossbar.

Healey had another headed chance from yet another Thomas set piece midway through the opening 45, but the former Watford man got underneath the ball and was visibly frustrated with himself as his header flew well over.

Nicholls had a tame shot on the turn from Ilias Chair to deal with at the other end, whilst Lees showed his experience by positioning himself perfectly at the near post to cut out Armstrong’s powerful low cross.

The best move of the half came with five minutes to spare from the Terriers. Rudoni drifted over to the right to play a smart one-two with Brodie Spencer that released the Northern Ireland international into space by the touchline; his pullback was perfect for Healey, but the forward’s goal-bound shot was blocked well by a defender.

Town enjoyed the better of the game in the second 45, with Thomas a constant threat down the left with his direct play. He won a corner just two minutes into the second period and when Helik headed his deep corner back across goal, Radulovic’s claims for a penalty fell on deaf ears.

Alex Matos soon had a shot blocked by the resilient home defence, with Jake Clarke-Salter soon doing well again to deny Rudoni a clear attempt from another Thomas cross.

A 55th minute corner then almost led to a carbon copy of Helik’s goal at Blackburn Rovers, but this time the defender flicked the ball inches over the bar under heavy pressure from three defenders.

Sadly, Helik was soon withdrawn through an injury sustained when fouled by midfielder Sam Field, but that handed Radinio Balker his debut in English football.

Tom Lees headed another set piece over after that, at which point QPR had their first chance of the second half. The otherwise excellent Brodie Spencer misplaced a pass out of defence straight to the feet of substitute Elijah Dixon-Bonner, who curled just wide from range.

Radulovic forced Asmir Begovic to tip his header from yet another Thomas cross as normal service was resumed, and then Rudoni had a shot blocked in the area.

Jack Colback then hit a powerful shot from range straight down the throat of Nicholls.

Finally, after considerable territorial pressure, Town broke the deadlock in the 86th minute. Substitute Josh Koroma was fouled by Colback, allowing Thomas to fire the ball deep into the area; Lees knocked it back across and the ball was only half cleared towards Balker. The Dutchman’s volleyed shot hit a defender in the box and fell straight to Rudoni, who took a good touch to steady himself before beating Begovic at close range!

QPR tried to equalise quickly when Chair’s cross was fired over by Armstrong, but it looked like Town may hold out.

In gutting fashion, they did pull level in the fifth minute of seven added when a player was given too much space to cross from our left, allowing left back Paal to stick out his leg and divert the ball into our top corner with his knee.

Town’s team vs Queens Park Rangers (4-2-3-1)
Lee Nicholls; Brodie Spencer (Matty Pearson, 90+8’), Michał Helik (Radinio Balker, 70’), Tom Lees, Ben Jackson; Jonathan Hogg (c), Alex Matos (Josh Koroma, 76’); Rhys Healey, Jack Rudoni, Sorba Thomas; Bojan Radulovic

Unused substitutes
Giosue Bellagambi; Brahima Diarra, David Kasumu, Ben Wiles, Kyle Hudlin, Tom Iorpenda

Town bookings
Michał Helik (17’), Brodie Spencer (90+2’), Bojan Radulovic (90+3’)

Gate
16,483

Town fans
950

Town are back home at the John Smith's Stadium next time out, welcoming Sheffield Wednesday to HD1! CLICK HERE to secure your seat and get behind the side.