Hull Vs QPR

Hull City, facing the threat of relegation, prepare to host Queens Park Rangers (QPR) at the MKM Stadium on Tuesday for their 22nd Championship game of the season. The Tigers currently find themselves in a precarious position, sitting 21st in the league table with 26 points. However, they enter this encounter with a glimmer of confidence after securing a 1-0 victory against Millwall on Saturday. Meanwhile, their visitors, QPR, occupy 12th place with 35 points, following their own 1-0 triumph over Plymouth Argyle on January 18.

Hull’s recent performance against Millwall was far from commanding, with chances in front of goal limited throughout the match. Despite their lack of attacking flair, the Tigers managed to scrape through with a victory, courtesy of an own goal by Millwall defender Jake Cooper. Defensively, Hull were resolute, ensuring Millwall failed to create a single significant opportunity. The win reflects a measure of progress under manager Ruben Selles, who has been at the helm for just eight Championship games. During his short tenure, Selles has overseen three wins and two draws, accumulating more points in this period than Hull had managed in their previous 13 league matches.

Hull’s meeting with QPR earlier in the season, on October 1, offers further encouragement. In that game, the Tigers delivered a strong second-half performance, ultimately securing a 3-1 victory. They created two major scoring chances while keeping their opponents at bay, showcasing the potential within the squad when everything clicks. Nevertheless, Hull’s broader struggles this season cannot be ignored. With 26 goals scored and 36 conceded, they rank as the fourth-worst attacking team and 11th-worst defensive side in the Championship. Such statistics underline the inconsistency that has plagued their campaign.

Their home form provides little reassurance either. In their last four league matches at the MKM Stadium, Hull have managed just one victory, alongside two draws and one defeat. Maintaining stability and stringing together positive results at home will be essential if they are to climb away from the relegation zone. Ruben Selles will hope his side can replicate the grit they displayed against Millwall and capitalize on any vulnerabilities in QPR’s setup.

On the other hand, QPR approach this fixture in significantly better shape. Their recent performance against Plymouth Argyle was dominant, marked by near-total control. They limited their opponents to just one shot on target while generating close to three expected goals (xG), creating six clear chances, and attempting 11 shots from inside the penalty area. Head coach Marti Cifuentes will undoubtedly be pleased with this display, particularly as his team also managed to keep a clean sheet for the first time in eight matches.

That defensive solidity marked a welcome response to their 6-2 thrashing at the hands of Leicester City in the FA Cup on January 11. Despite that setback, QPR’s Championship form has been impressive. They are currently just six points behind West Bromwich Albion, who occupy the final promotion playoff spot in sixth place. However, their negative goal difference of minus four is a blemish on their record, standing out as the worst among the top 14 teams in the league.

QPR’s recent run in the Championship has been nothing short of remarkable. They have won their last three league games, a streak that includes seven victories, three draws, and only one loss in their past 11 outings. This impressive run has seen them climb steadily up the table, and no team has accumulated more points over the last four Championship fixtures than Cifuentes’s side. Such form has been fueled by a combination of clinical finishing and tactical discipline, hallmarks of Cifuentes’s managerial style.

However, QPR’s performances away from home have been less consistent. While they remain tough to beat on their travels, they have managed just one victory in their last five away games in the league, with the other four matches ending in draws. Their ability to turn draws into wins on the road could be pivotal in their pursuit of a playoff spot as the season progresses.

For Hull, the challenge will be to disrupt QPR’s rhythm and exploit any signs of vulnerability. Ruben Selles will look to inspire his players to replicate the energy and commitment they displayed in their earlier victory against QPR. With relegation looming, every point is crucial for the Tigers, and this match presents an opportunity to build momentum and inch further away from the drop zone.

On the other hand, QPR’s focus will be on maintaining their upward trajectory and consolidating their position in the upper half of the table. Marti Cifuentes will expect his team to continue their attacking dominance while ensuring defensive lapses, like those seen in their heavy FA Cup defeat, remain a thing of the past. The match promises to be a compelling contest between two sides with vastly different ambitions but equal determination to secure all three points.

Ultimately, the clash at the MKM Stadium will be a test of character for both teams. Hull City will aim to leverage their home advantage and the growing influence of Ruben Selles to pull off an upset, while QPR will seek to extend their fine run of form and strengthen their case for a playoff push. With plenty at stake for both sides, Tuesday’s game is set to be a fascinating encounter.