Derby County v QPR Preview

Live football occupies a rare slot on BBC2 for a late afternoon Championship encounter. After an excellent win against Sheffield Wednesday and creditable draw against Leicester, Derby have to pick themselves up from another poor midweek away defeat at Middlesbrough. Derby will look to build on their home form, having won 4 of their 6 at Pride Park but Nigel Clough is having to deal with a potentially harmful injury crisis. The Rams' treatment room is getting overcrowded, with latest injury casualty being Jay McEvely, who is expected to be out for over a month with a fractured cheek bone picked up in the defeat at Boro. Kris Commons, a regular Derby “sick note”, limped off in the same game. Miles Addison, Chris Porter, Paul Green, Steven Davies, Giles Barnes, Stephen Pearson, Ben Pringle, Fredrik Stoor and James Vaughan make up the lengthy injury list. Derby have managed to bring in Bryan Hughes on loan from Hull City and it’s no surprise should he find his way right into the side for Saturday.

QPR are one of the form sides at the moment having notched 13 points from a possible 18 and they are also scoring goals like they are going out of fashion. QPR hit Reading for 4 goals in midweek, a matter of days after hammering high flying Preston 4-0 and they are good value for their 10^th spot. However the Hoops haven't found goals as easy to come by when away from Loftus Road where the "away goals for" reads a meagre 5 goals from 6 matches. QPR will be without the suspended Ben Watson for the trip to Pride Park. The on-loan Wigan midfielder was sent off for the second time in two matches against Reading on Tuesday and begins a two-match ban, so Gavin Mahon could earn a recall. Boss Jim Magilton will hand late checks to Mikele Leigertwood who has missed two games due to a virus, and Jay Simpson, who limped off during the 4-1 win over Reading. Matthew Connolly remains out after a bout of glandular fever with Hogan Ephraim and Angelo Balanta are also still crocked.

QPR have to be in with a chance here if they can translate their home form to when they’re on the road, but Derby have also shown glimpses of potential in recent weeks. There are too many question marks against both sides so the sensible conclusion is the draw.

Stakes 4/10 on the draw at 3.4 with Skybet. Click here to place your bet!