Queens Park Rangers VS Leeds United Match Prediction

Goals have been in short supply in this fixture in recent years, with only one of the last six matches between QPR and Leeds seeing over 2.5 goals scored. 

Last season, Leeds held QPR to a 1-1 draw at Elland Road, but Rangers took the points with a 1-0 home win at the end of November, Charlie Austin scoring the winner for his side shortly after coming off the bench as a substitute. Leeds have only won on one of their last four visits to QPR, pulling off a 2-1 victory at the ground in a Championship fixture back in 2011.

%HEAD-TO-HEAD-STATS-BANNER%

Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United: Prediction

QPR drew more Championship matches (18) than any other side in the league last season, while Leeds were involved in 17 draws, which suggests there is a high chance of a draw in this game. Neither side will want to get off to a losing start on the first weekend of the new campaign either.

Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United: Betting Tips

Hosts QPR can be backed at 5/4 to take all three points from this match, while visitors Leeds are available at a price of 11/4 to get the best possible result in Monk's first game in charge of the club. The draw may well provide the best value from the match odds market at 12/5, while the lack of goals in this fixture in recent years suggests under 2.5 goals is also worth considering at 4/6.

Jack Robinson (knee) and Jamie Mackie (ankle) are out injured, so Jake Bidwell is expected to line up at left-back for the R's, while summer signing from Legia Warsaw Ariel Borysiuk is out.

Rangers academy graduate Olamide Shodipo could be in line to make his senior debut for the club after impressing during pre-season, with QPR unbeaten in their last five friendlies. Sebastian Polter is likely to lead the line for Rangers with support from Tjaronn Chery.

Queens Park Rangers likely XI:

Smithies, Onuoha, Caulker, Hall, Bidwell, Cousins, Luongo, Chery, Petrasso, Shodipo, Polter.
 

New Leeds United manager Garry Monk is expected to hand debuts to recent signings Rob Green and Kemar Roofe, with defenders Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi passed fit. However, new arrival Kyle Bartley is also vying for selection in the heart of the Whites' back line.

Chris Wood is expected to get the nod in attack, with Roofe providing the main support. Alex Mowatt will have to step up after the sale of Lewis Cook, who joined Bournemouth in a deal reported to be worth around £10 million earlier in the summer.

Leeds United likely XI:

Green, Coyle, Bartley, Cooper, Taylor, Murphy, Diagouraga, Mowatt, Dallas, Roofe, Wood.

Both of these teams are likely to be in mid-table in the Championship this season, with neither a promotion charge or a relegation battle seeming to be on the cards. The opening weekend\'s games can often be cagey as nobody wants to make the mistake that costs their side, so a low-scoring draw looks to be the most likely result in this match.

The last four meetings between the two sides have all seen under 2.5 goals scored.