Bitesize Prediction: Stoke vs QPR – 14/02/24

Competition: Championship

Market: Over 1.5 goals

Odds: 4/11 @ Pribet

In what looks set to be a real relegation six-pointer at the foot of the Championship table, Stoke will welcome QPR to the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday night.

Starting with the hosts, putting in another nightmare performance over the weekend as they slumped to a 3-1 drumming at the hands of Blackburn, Stoke find themselves in the midst of a real crisis. While the Potters might have turned to Steven Schumacher over the festive period in an attempt to steady the ship, the former Plymouth boss already finds some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Opening February with a woeful display as they suffered a 5-0 defeat against runaway Championship leaders Leicester, Wednesday’s hosts are now firmly at the heart of a relegation scrap. Getting the midweek fixtures underway holding just a three-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, Stoke have lost all of their previous four appearances on the spin. Showing some glaring defensive issues and remarkably shipping 13 strikes on that four-match rut, Schumacher’s men have also lost their last three contests in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 11-3.

As for the visitors, while QPR might still find themselves tipped as a standout relegation contender this season, the Hoops have shown some recent signs of life. Putting in an eye-catching performance over the weekend as they eventually snatched a 2-2 stalemate at home against Norwich, Marti Cifuentes’ side are unbeaten in all of their previous four Championship appearances. Opening the midweek fixtures sat just two points adrift of finding a route to second-tier safety, the west London outfit should find the mood in their camp at a recent high. Putting in a shock performance earlier in the month as they clinched a 2-1 victory away at play-off hopefuls Blackburn, QPR will be desperate to claim what could be a season-defining victory on Wednesday night. Smelling a potential opportunity, the Hoops should also be excited by their most recent showdown against Stoke. Landing a 4-2 victory when they welcomed the Potters to west London on November 28th, neutrals could be treated to another enjoyable affair here.

Bet: Over 1.5 goals at Stoke vs QPR 4/11 for Wednesday’s Championship battle @ Pribet