Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Preston North End: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Preston North End in the Championship on Saturday, 09 August 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Loftus Road, a result that reflects the competitive nature of both teams. QPR, coming off a strong run with wins against Toulouse and Sunderland, were unable to secure a victory at home, extending their unbeaten streak in the Championship to two games. The match saw an early own goal by Preston's Benjamin Whiteman, which was quickly cancelled out by Milutin Osmajic's strike for the visitors. Given QPR's recent form, the draw might be seen as a slight disappointment, but it showcases their resilience after a heavy defeat to Burnley.

Preston North End, on the other hand, managed to halt a run of three games without a win, showing signs of improvement after a challenging period. The draw at QPR, a team in good form, is a positive result for Ryan Lowe's side, who have struggled to find consistency this season. Osmajic's goal was a crucial moment, highlighting his importance to the team. Both sides had their moments, but neither could find a decisive edge, resulting in a fair share of the points.

The statistics from the match between Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End provide insight into the dynamics of the game. QPR enjoyed a significant advantage in possession with 58%, compared to Preston's 42%, suggesting they controlled the tempo of the match. However, despite this dominance, they were unable to convert their possession into a winning goal, which is reflected in the final score line. The home side also had a higher number of corners (5 to 4) and a much better successful dribble percentage (71% to 36%), indicating their intent to attack.

On the other hand, Preston North End's three yellow cards compared to QPR's zero suggest a more physical approach from the visitors. The assist for Osmajic's goal was the only one recorded in the match, highlighting the importance of that moment. Overall, the statistics align with the result, showing a closely contested match where neither team could fully capitalise on their opportunities.

The key moments of the match between Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End were pivotal in shaping the final result. The first significant event was an own goal by Preston's Benjamin Whiteman in the 41st minute, which gave QPR the lead going into halftime. This moment shifted the momentum in favour of the home side, but it was short-lived as Preston responded quickly after the break.

In the 48th minute, Milutin Osmajic scored for Preston, levelling the score and injecting new life into the visitors' performance. This goal was crucial, as it not only equalised the match but also boosted Preston's confidence. Both teams made multiple substitutions throughout the game, with QPR making five and Preston matching that number, indicating a tactical battle as both managers sought to influence the outcome. The yellow cards shown to Andrew Hughes, Benjamin Whiteman, and Liam Lindsay for Preston added tension to the latter stages of the match.

Queens Park Rangers lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Joe Walsh in goal and a back four of Kieran Morgan, Liam Morrison, Amadou Salif Mbengue, and Esquerdinha. The midfield was anchored by Sam Field and Nicolas Madsen, with Kwame Poku, Ilias Chair, and Karamoko Dembélé supporting striker Zan Celar. The lineup showed no major surprises, reflecting a balanced approach to both defense and attack.

The impact of substitutions was notable, with QPR making five changes throughout the match. Kealey Adamson, Rayan Kolli, and Rumarn Burrell came on in the 67th minute, followed by Steve Cook and Harvey Vale in the 81st and 82nd minutes, respectively. These changes were likely aimed at maintaining energy levels and seeking a winning goal, but ultimately, the team could not break the deadlock.

Preston North End opted for a 3-5-2 formation, with Daniel Iversen in goal and a back three of Jordan Storey, Lewis Gibson, and Andrew Hughes. The wing-backs were Thierry Small and Ali McCann, with Ben Whiteman, Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, and Andrija Vukčević in midfield. Up front, Michael Smith partnered with Milutin Osmajic, who proved to be a key figure in the match.

The lineup was typical of Preston's recent setups, focusing on a solid defensive structure with attacking options through the wing-backs and forwards. Substitutions played a significant role, with Mads Frøkjær-Jensen and Pol Valentín Sancho coming on in the 60th minute, followed by Liam Lindsay and Alfie Devine in the 75th minute, and Odeluga Offiah in the 89th minute. These changes helped maintain the team's shape and energy, contributing to their ability to secure a draw.

Milutin Osmajic is Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match for his performance against Queens Park Rangers. His goal in the 48th minute was crucial in securing a point for Preston North End, demonstrating his ability to impact the game decisively. Despite not recording any assists or key passes, Osmajic's contribution was significant, as his goal was the only one scored by his team, highlighting his importance to the squad.

Recent matches:

• Draw: 1-1 vs Preston North End (H) - Championship

Recent matches:

• Draw: 1-1 vs Queens Park Rangers (A) - Championship

QPR sit in 12th place with 1 point after their 1-1 draw against Preston North End. They face Watford, in 22nd place with 0 points, on August 16, 2025, at 15:00. The draw, with Michael Frey’s goal, highlights their attacking potential but urges them to improve goal conversion to secure a first win against a struggling Watford side.

Watford V QPR - Game Week 2 The Championship

Preston North End are in 10th place with 1 point following their 1-1 draw with QPR. They take on Leicester City, in 15th place with 0 points, on August 16, 2025, at 15:00. Milutin Osmajić’s equaliser boosts their confidence, and they’ll aim to build on this resilience and sharpen their attack to secure a victory against Leicester.

PNE V Leicester - Game Week 2 The Championship

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