Match Preview Watford vs Queens Park Rangers Championship Game Week 2

Explore Ladbrokes game week 2 detailed match preview for Watford vs Queens Park Rangers in the Championship. Stats, odds, predictions, and line-ups for the 15:00 BST kick off from Vicarage Road on Saturday, 16 August 2025.

Fixture: Watford vs Queens Park Rangers

Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025

Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Venue: Vicarage Road

Watford, coming off a narrow defeat against Charlton Athletic, will be eager to bounce back at home. Their recent loss might fuel their determination to secure a win, especially given their attacking prowess displayed in previous matches. Queens Park Rangers, on the other hand, showed resilience in their last game, drawing against Preston North End. They will likely adopt a cautious approach, aiming to exploit any defensive lapses from Watford while maintaining a solid backline.

The match could be closely contested, with Watford likely to dominate possession and create more scoring opportunities. However, QPR's disciplined performance in their recent draw suggests they could frustrate Watford's attack and possibly snatch a point or even a win on the counter. The key for Watford will be to convert their chances efficiently, while QPR will need to stay organised and capitalise on any mistakes.

Match Prediction: Watford 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

Watford's recent loss to Charlton Athletic was a setback, but it was a close game that could have gone either way. This narrow defeat might serve as motivation for the team to perform better at home. With no injuries reported, Watford can field a strong line-up, which should help them regain their winning form. Their ability to bounce back will be crucial in this match against QPR.

Recent Championship Results:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Charlton Athletic (A)

Queens Park Rangers managed to secure a draw against Preston North End in their last outing, showcasing their ability to hold their ground against tough opponents. This result could boost their confidence as they travel to face Watford. Despite the absence of Jake Clarke-Salter due to a hip injury, QPR's recent performance indicates they can still put up a solid fight. Their focus will be on maintaining a tight defence while looking for opportunities to counter-attack.

Recent Championship Results:

• Draw: 1-1 vs Preston North End (H)

Historically, the head-to-head record between Watford and Queens Park Rangers has been closely contested. Watford has had some significant victories, including a 4-0 win, but QPR has also managed to secure wins and draws, suggesting neither team has a clear upper hand in this matchup.

Recent Results

• Queens Park Rangers 3-1 Watford (01 Jan 2025)

• Watford 0-0 Queens Park Rangers (30 Nov 2024)

• Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Watford (14 Jan 2024)

• Watford 4-0 Queens Park Rangers (05 Aug 2023)

• Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Watford (11 Mar 2023)

• No injuries have been reported for the current season.

• Jake Clarke-Salter  (Hip Injury)

• Line-up: Selvik, Ngakia, Keben, Abankwah, Bola, Sissoko, Louza, Kyprianou, Baah, Kjerrumgaard, Doumbia

With a full squad available, Watford's predicted line-up suggests a balanced approach, focusing on both attack and defence. The presence of experienced players like Sissoko and Louza in midfield could be key in controlling the game's tempo and breaking down QPR's defence.

• Line-up: Walsh, Morgan, Morrison, Mbengue, Esquerdinha, Field, Madsen, Poku, Chair, Dembélé, Celar

QPR's predicted line-up indicates a strategy centred around a strong midfield presence with Field and Chair, aiming to disrupt Watford's rhythm. The absence of Clarke-Salter might force them to rely more on their midfield to shield the defence and launch quick counter-attacks.

• Kévin Keben vs Amadou Salif Mbengue: Keben's defensive solidity will be tested against Mbengue's attacking prowess.

• Imrân Louza vs Ilias Chair: Louza's control in midfield will be crucial in neutralizing Chair's creative influence.

• Kwadwo Baah (Watford): Baah's pace and finishing could be decisive in breaking down QPR's defence.

• Zan Celar (Queens Park Rangers): Celar's ability to hold up play and link with the midfield could be key for QPR's counter-attacks.

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