QPR vs West Brom predictions: Tight opening-day clash at Loftus Road

- QPR won only seven of their 23 home games last season
- West Brom failed to win 17 of their 23 away league games
- Recommended bet: Draw

QPR and West Brom kick off their Championship seasons when they meet at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon.

Rangers won their final three matches last season to climb out of relegation trouble, while West Brom are back for a fourth season in the second tier after losing out to Southampton in the play-off semi-finals.

Team news

QPR midfielder Jonathan Varane could make his debut after signing from Sporting Gijon this week. Another summer recruit, Slovenian forward Zan Celar, looks set to start up front.

Torbjorn Heggem is set to start in defence for the Baggies with left-back Gianluca Frabotta not yet at full fitness, while Josh Maja is likely to lead the attack with Devante Cole lacking match sharpness.

The stats

QPR lost only three of their final 14 league matches last season.

Only one team scored in four of QPR's last five home league games.

West Brom took four points off QPR last season, winning at home and drawing in London.

Albion won only two of their last 10 games last term.

Fifteen of West Brom's 21 league wins in 2023-24 came at home.

QPR have won only one of their last 10 matches against West Brom.

Prediction

These teams both look likely to trend towards the middle of the Championship table from the positions they were in at the end of last season.

Things should be more positive for QPR, who put together some stronger late-season form under Marti Cifuentes after his autumn arrival, and they will hope to steer clear of the relegation battle this time around.

West Brom were much more successful last season, finishing fifth before going out to Southampton in the play-offs, but it would be no surprise if they take a minor step back this time around given the financial constraints under which they are operating.

The Baggies have an excellent head-to-head record against the Hoops, with a 1-0 win through a late Charlie Austin goal in January 2022 being the only time QPR have won in the teams' last 10 encounters.

West Brom beat Rangers 2-0 at home last season but drew the away game and that outcome looks a solid proposition for this match too. 

The Baggies should still have the superior squad despite the loss of last season's top scorer, Brandon Thomas-Asante, who has joined Coventry.

However, they were a stronger outfit at home last season, winning only six of their 23 away games, and may have to settle for a point.

Both sides could be lacking confidence after some underwhelming pre-season results and they may be happy enough to open their accounts for the season with a draw.

Back the Draw @ 2/1 with LiveScore Bet.