Watford will kick off the new year with a short trip to Loftus Road for Wednesday's Championship clash with Queens Park Rangers.
The Hornets are sitting in seventh place in the Championship table, while QPR will head into the match in 17th position.
Match preview
© Imago
QPR begin 2025 with a six-point buffer to the relegation zone after winning five, drawing 11 and losing eight of their 24 league matches.
The R's enjoyed an impressive run of form before Christmas, winning four and drawing three of their seven matches in a promising undefeated streak.
However, their fine spell of form was abruptly ended by a heavy 3-0 away defeat against Swansea City on Boxing Day.
QPR looked set to bounce back with a win when they took the lead in Sunday's away clash with Norwich City, courtesy of an Ante Crnac own goal in first-half stoppage time.
As it proved, the R's were unable to hold on to their advantage, conceding in the 89th minute to draw 1-1 at Carrow Road, extending their winless away run to four matches.
Marti Cifuentes's side will be looking forward to returning to the familiar surroundings of Loftus Road, where they have won each of their previous three league games.
© Imago
Watford may be sitting outside the playoffs on goal difference, but they have struggled for consistency in recent times, having won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six matches.
Unfortunately for the Hornets, those two victories took place in their final three matches of 2024, losing 2-1 to Burnley and Cardiff on either side of a narrow home win against Portsmouth.
Rocco Vata netted a late winner against Pompey to extend Watford's unbeaten home run to 15 Championship matches.
However, that impressive streak was ended by Cardiff's Callum Robinson, who netted a brace to condemn Watford to a narrow 2-1 defeat in Sunday's clash at Vicarage Road.
After losing a home league game for the first time since March, Watford will have to quickly pick themselves up for Wednesday's trip to Loftus Road, with the visitors looking to end a four-game winless away run.
The Hornets will be hoping for a repeat of the 2-1 win that they recorded in their most recent away match against QPR last January.
Team News
© Imago
The hosts are without the services of Steve Cook, Liam Morrison, Karamoko Dembele, Jack Colback and Zan Celar.
Lucas Andersen is a major doubt after he was forced off just before the hour mark against Norwich due to a calf issue.
Midfielder Jonathan Varane is in contention for a recall after dropping down to the bench at the weekend following a run of five consecutive starts.
Meanwhile, Watford boss Tom Cleverley is unable to call upon Kevin Keben and Tom Dele-Bashiru, who are both working their way back from knee issues.
The Watford medical staff will have to assess Vata and Imran Louza after the pair were taken off against Cardiff due to injury concerns.
Attacker Kwadwo Baah is set to return to the starting lineup, having completed a one-match suspension for the red card that he received after the Boxing Day win over Portsmouth.
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Ashby, Dunne, Fox, Paal; Field, Varane; Smyth, Morgan, Chair; Kolli
Watford possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Porteous, Sierralta, Pollock; Ngakia, Sissoko, Kayembe, Larouci; Baah, Chakvetadze, Bayo
We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Watford
QPR will begin the new year with a tricky test, but they will take plenty of confidence from their recent run of three consecutive home victories.
With that in mind, we think that the R's will make full use of home advantage again to claim a narrow victory over Watford at Loftus Road.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
