Queens Park Rangers vs West Bromwich Albion

14th January

West Bromwich Albion travel to QPR on Saturday afternoon for their first away game of 2022 (ko 3pm).

The two teams sit fourth and fifth in the Sky Bet Championship, with the Baggies one point and one place above this weekend's opponents.

Albion head to the capital having being knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup last weekend by Premier League Brighton, while Rangers needed a penalty shootout to edge past League One Rotherham United on home soil.

Saturday's clash is a key one for both teams as they look to claw back ground on the sides above them in the table in the hunt for promotion.

The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium will host QPR and Albion this weekend

How to follow the game

Fans in the UK can listen to live Baggies-biased commentary from the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium from 2.45pm and then enjoy a full match replay on Sunday.

Current subscribers don’t need to do anything else but if you don’t have a seasonal or monthly subscription you can click here to buy a match pass for £2.50.

Supporters based outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland can watch the match live. Fans without a current subscription can buy a match pass for £10 here.

The game will be available to watch or listen live here from 2.45 on Saturday. Alternatively, open the free to download West Bromwich Albion app to follow.

Opposition

QPR have enjoyed a successful first half of the 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Rangers sit fifth in the division ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures, two points above Middlesbrough in seventh and just one behind the Baggies in fourth.

In their six seasons in the second tier since their relegation from the Premier League in 2014/15, QPR have only finished inside the top half twice – coming 12th in 2015/16 and ninth last term.

But supporters at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium believe this year could be very different under Mark Warburton.

The former Brentford, Rangers and Nottingham Forest boss was appointed in May 2019 and has put together a squad capable of challenging at the higher end of the Championship.

QPR will be hoping for a third consecutive league win on Saturday afternoon after away victories at Bristol City and then Birmingham City.

They have, however, lost their last two on home soil, suffering setbacks against Stoke and AFC Bournemouth without scoring.

Rangers are ready to mount a promotion charge in the second half of the season

Classic clash

The Baggies earned a dramatic 3-2 victory over QPR in February 2019.

Jefferson Montero put Albion in front but Luke Freeman levelled before the break. The Baggies restored their lead through Jacob Murphy, only for Tomer Hemed to equalise from the spot.

And with the game heading for a draw, Jake Livermore popped up in the right place at the right time to slot in a 90th-minute winner.

Did you know?

Rangers have four former Baggies in their ranks.

Charlie Austin and Sam Field are joined by ex-loanees Stefan Johansen and Chris Willock.

Charlie Austin scored 11 goals for Albion during his time at The Hawthorns

Away kit colours

Albion will wear their yellow third kit in the capital on Saturday. You can order it here.

LV BET's latest odds

Albion come in as the favourites at 5/4 (2.25) to win in west London.

In the last five meetings between the sides, the Baggies have scored 16 goals. We’ve got the away team to score over 1.5 goals at 6/5 (2.20) and a West Bromwich Albion win with over 2.5 total goals available at 37/10 (4.70).

Callum Robinson leads the LV BET goalscorer market at 19/10 (2.90) to get his third goal in as many games, with Karlan Grant at 21/10 (3.10) to get his 10th goal of the season.

Register here and use the code WBAxLVBET to claim a £5 No Deposit Bonus and a chance to win WBA hospitality tickets. 18+ begambleaware.org. Terms apply. Odds are subject to change.

Additional information

Supporters attending Albion’s Sky Bet Championship fixture at QPR will be required to present an NHS COVID pass on entering the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

The UK Government has introduced measures which require everyone aged 18 and over - at sporting events with crowds of more than 10,000 people - to provide proof of double vaccination or a negative lateral flow test when entering stadia from Wednesday, December 15 onwards. Tests must have been undertaken no more than 48 hours prior to kick-off.

The legislation means all adults attending fixtures – both at The Hawthorns and at away stadia - will be required to present an NHS COVID pass on entry. Passes will be mandatory for as long as they are a legal requirement.

Fans are advised to download the NHS mobile app, if they have not already done so, to familiarise themselves with the relevant processes. For more information on the NHS app, click here.

Click here for further information on QPR's official club website.

15th January

Albion were defeated late on by Queens Park Rangers at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides created more chances after a cagey first 45, but it was Hoops substitute Charlie Austin who netted a late header to give the home side all three points.

Space for shots was at a premium in the opening stages for both teams, as disciplined approaches restricted any room for chances.

Although, the Baggies did enjoy a lot of freedom down the left wing as a result of their intense pressing and quick passing exchanges.

Karlan Grant, Callum Robinson and Jayson Molumby saw shots roll either wide or into Rs stopper David Marshall's grasp during the first 45, but Albion’s best opportunity to grab a goal fell at the feet of Adam Reach.

A cleared corner kick fell invitingly into his path but he was unable to show his long-range expertise on the volley, with an onrushing QPR defender deflecting the resulting strike away from danger.

It was Rangers, however, who had the best opportunity of the half moments before the referee’s whistle as David Button palmed former Albion loanee Stefan Johansen’s rasping effort away from goal to keep the game level at the interval.

The hosts, clearly rejuvenated from their chance at the end of the half, began the second 45 with intensity and would’ve been ahead when Andre Gray smashed the ball past Button, only for referee Simon Hooper to rule it out for a foul on Molumby earlier in the move.

Albion's No.25 was called into action regularly, claiming several crosses and punching a goal-bound Chris Willock effort wide. But Albion weathered the early storm and the introduction of January signing Daryl Dike added new impetus to the away side’s attacking play.

He showed pace and power - to the delight of the travelling faithful - but it was leading goalscorer Grant who nearly squeezed Valérien Ismaël’s men ahead when his deflected cross beat Marshall in goal, but rolled agonisingly along the goal-line and out for a corner.

Robinson curled a free-kick inches over the crossbar as the Baggies went in search of a late goal, but it was the home side who took advantage courtesy of Austin’s back-post header in the final minutes of regular time to earn Rangers the points.

Albion: Button; Furlong, Clarke, Townsend; Gardner-Hickman, Livermore, Molumby, Reach; Robinson, Phillips (Dike 59), Grant.

Substitutes: Palmer, Taylor, Ashworth, Castro, Fellows, Diangana.

Saturday 15th January 2022 - 15:00