Sheffield United vs Queens Park Rangers: Prediction, Preview and Betting Tips

Sheffield United are hoping for an immediate return to the Premier League after their disastrous campaign last year. They made the ideal start with a 2-0 win in their opening game against Preston, and we are backing them to beat QPR by the same scoreline this weekend.

QPR fell to a 3-1 home defeat against West Brom, and their woes are likely to continue. The Blades are unbeaten in their last six games, and have won three of the previous five meetings between the pair in the Championship.

Kieffer Moore had four shots in his last game, and scored 14 for Ipswich last season, so he should be a good bet for a shot on target this weekend. Gustavo Hamer scored in the opening game and will also be looking for more attacking success this time – Sheffield United 2-0 QPR

Sheffield United host Queens Park Rangers on the second weekend of the Championship season, with the home side hoping to build on a strong start.

Date: 17/08/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: Bramall Lane

An immediate return to the top flight is the expectation for Chris Wilder and Sheffield United this season, and they made the ideal start with three points in their opener against Preston. The Blades are looking to put one of the worst campaigns in Premier League history behind them, and should be competing near the top of the table.

They will be facing a QPR side who will be looking to recover from a 3-1 defeat to West Brom in their opening game. Despite taking the lead in the game, they were unable to hold on. Last season QPR endured a disappointing campaign, finishing in 18th.

Goals were very hard to come by for Sheffield United last season, as they only scored 35. Gustavo Hamer was responsible for just four of them, but he hit the ground running this time around with a goal last weekend to open up his account. Their opponents have also not been prolific in front of goal, and did not take their chances against West Brom. Midfielder Ilias Chair was their top scorer with seven goals, but they will want to get more production from their forward line.

The signing of Zan Celar will hope to solve some of their offensive issues, and he made his debut for the club last time out. Celar scored 14 goals for Lugano last year. Lucas Andersen provided their opening goal and will look to continue his quick start. Historically, there has not been much to split these two sides at all in terms of head-to-head. In 59 total meetings, Sheffield United have won 20 games and QPR have won 19, with the remaining 20 ending in a draw.

Recent seasons has seen the tide shift further in Sheffield United’s favour, however, with them victorious in six of the last nine meetings in all competitions dating back to 2015. Despite this, QPR were able to remain unbeaten in both games between the pair in 22/23, the last time they played. At home, the Hoops were held to a 1-1 draw, but they managed to secure all three points on the road with a narrow 1-0 victory, a result they will be looking to replicate this weekend. Chris Willock scored the winning goal on that afternoon.

Sheffield United vs Queens Park Rangers will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.

Sheffield United

New signing Jamie Shackleton likely remains out after suffering a knee injury in pre-season which kept him out last week. Fellow new recruits Kieffer Moore and Sam McCallum also missed out with knocks which has their availability in doubt for this weekend. Loanee Alfie Gilchrist was put straight into the defence, and expect him to get the start once more.

Queens Park Rangers

New signing Zan Celar got the start up front, and he will expect to remain in that spot this weekend. Midfielder Jonathan Varane made his debut off the bench, and will look to play a bigger role going forward. QPR have no new injury concerns to contend with.

Sheffield United:

In their last five games, Sheffield United have won four and drawn one. Following their relegation from the Premier League, the Blades made the ideal start to the new season with a 2-0 win over Preston away from home in their opener. They took an early 12th minute lead through Oliver Luke Arblaster, before Gustavo Hamer doubled their advantage shortly into the second half.

They had continued the excellent form they had shown in pre-season, with a 1-1 draw in their final friendly preventing them from having a perfect record in their last five. The first of this run was a comfortable 3-0 win at Chesterfield.

Victories against further lower league opposition followed, as they beat Harrogate and Rotherham 4-1 and 2-1. Against Rotherham, Vini Souza and substitute Louie Marsh were both on the scoresheet.

Queens Park Rangers:

In their last five games, QPR have won two and lost three. It has been an inconsistent stretch for QPR as their preparations ramped up ahead of the Championship season. This continued as they faced West Brom at home in their opener, but were defeated 3-1, despite taking the lead. Lucas Andersen was their scorer, but an unanswered hat-trick from Josh Maja won the game for the visitors.

This run began with thumping 11-0 win over L’Escala. They were 4-0 up at half-time as Harry Murphy bagged a brace. Chair scored a hat-trick, whilst Hevertton Santos (x2), Daniel Bennie and Sinclair Armstrong found the net to complete the scoring.

Tottenham were their next opponents in a big step up in quality. The North Londoners were 2-0 winners with goals coming from Yves Bissouma and Dane Scarlett. They lost a second in a row against Reading. Femi Azeez scored the only goal of the game shortly into the second half. Their latest game was against Brighton, in which they lost 1-0 at home.

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