Credit: Imago

Dan Godfrey

Thu 13 March 2025 15:10, UK

Leeds United look to once again secure back-to-back Championship victories this Saturday when they visit Queens Park Rangers.

The contest on 15 March gives Daniel Farke’s Leeds the chance to retain top spot heading into the final international break of the season.

Leeds returned to winning ways against Millwall on Wednesday (12 March), securing a 2-0 victory at Elland Road to end their mini-hoodoo against the Lions this season.

QPR v Leeds United preview

Leeds enjoyed their win over Millwall and are top of the pile heading into this weekend, leading with 79 points, two ahead of Sheffield United while Burnley sit four points from the summit. Sunderland are eight points from the automatic promotion spots as outsiders.

After a dreadful weekend which saw defeat at Portsmouth bring an end to 17 games unbeaten, the other competitors had all won and sensed their opportunity which made the Millwall win ever so vital.

Following a horrendous start to the season, QPR now sit 14th and have been rewarded with certain safety after sticking with Marti Cifuentes as manager when clubs around them were culling their bosses.

However, just when a potential outside shout of the play-offs could be visible in the distance, the Hoops have now lost each of their last four and are now rooted in mid-table.

Prior to their run of four defeats, QPR had won, drawn and lost 11 apiece, but are now licking their wounds having lost all of the recent matches by the odd goal.

A bad omen for Leeds for this game is that the last nine meetings between these two sides have remarkably all seen the home team win.

The Whites have consequently lost each of their last four visits to Loftus Road, including the 4-0 drubbing towards the end of last season.

Championship form guide

QPR: LLLLW

Leeds United: WLDWW

Head-to-Head

Leeds 2-0 QPR (9 November 2024)

QPR 4-0 Leeds (26 April 2024)

Leeds 1-0 QPR (4 October 2023)

QPR 1-0 Leeds (18 January 2020)

Leeds 2-0 QPR (2 November 2019)

Team news

Leeds United are still without Ethan Ampadu given his recent injury blow, with Farke assured by the midfield options he has.

Patrick Bamford and Max Wober are also sidelined, with no fresh issues emerging from the Millwall victory.

Jayden Bogle has escaped scot-free with his nine Championship bookings, having avoided a yellow in midweek to ensure himself not to pick up a two-match ban before the 10-yellow cut-off of matchday 37.

As for QPR, several players are still missing until later this season such as Sam Field, Zan Celar and Harvey Vale.

Cifuentes is hoping to soon welcome back Rayan Kolli, but the Leeds clash is likely to come too soon for the young forward.

Predicted line-ups

QPR: Nardi, Dunne, Cook, Edwards, Paal, Morgan, Colback, Yang, Chair, Saito, Smyth.

Leeds: Meslier, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo, Tanaka, Rothwell, Gnonto, Aaronson, Solomon, Piroe.

How to watch

Due to the 3pm blackout in the EFL, the match will not be broadcast live in the UK on television.

However, BBC Radio Leeds will offer live audio coverage to those based in the region.

Prediction: QPR 1-3 Leeds United

Leeds United know how crucial this visit to Loftus Road is, especially given it was even later in the season when they were hammered in West London last year.

Farke is blessed with a near-fit squad after the game in midweek, and the Whites now have their momentum back.

Leeds put an end to one bad record when they beat Millwall on Wednesday, and now it’s time to put right another with a first return from QPR in five attempts.

On paper, QPR are in a heinous run of form having lost their last four, but they have merely been victims of the fine margins of the Championship, each game a slender defeat.

However, Leeds should have too much for a Hoops side lacking in the confidence to kill games off, and should take the three points before the a handful of the squad go their separate ways for the internationals.