Plymouth Argyle vs QPR Predictions

Plymouth Argyle vs Queens Park Rangers Predictions for this Championship fixture. Plymouth Argyle face QPR this weekend, seeking their first victory under new head coach Miron Muslic. Can they get that or will QPR block them? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Championship | Jan 18, 2025 at 12:30pm UK at Home Park

Plymouth Argyle vs QPR Predictions

Can QPR Deliver a Rare Away Win Against a Resurgent Plymouth?

• Plymouth’s Leaky Defence at Home: Despite improving under Muslic, Argyle’s defence remains a major weakness, with 35 goals conceded in away matches and further injuries weakening their backline.
• QPR’s Away Wins Only Against Relegation Strugglers: The R’s two away league victories this season have come against Cardiff City and Luton Town, both of whom are battling to avoid the drop.
• Ryan Hardie’s Impact Could Be Crucial: The returning forward has missed the last three matches but offers Plymouth’s best chance of piercing QPR’s vulnerable defence.

Our Tips

Home Park is the battleground this weekend as bottom-of-the-table Plymouth Argyle take on Queens Park Rangers in a match with significant implications at both ends of the Championship standings. For the hosts, this game represents an opportunity to edge closer to safety, with Miron Muslic taking charge of his second match as head coach. Meanwhile, the visitors, buoyed by their improved league form, are targeting a rare away victory to keep their faint hopes of a playoff push alive.

Plymouth have endured a turbulent season that has tested the resilience of their players, staff, and supporters alike. Muslic’s arrival brings cautious optimism, but the club’s position at the foot of the table underlines the magnitude of the task ahead. Their 1-1 draw with Oxford United in midweek demonstrated some promise, particularly as it extended their unbeaten run since Wayne Rooney’s New Year’s Eve departure. However, the club’s Achilles’ heel remains their defensive frailty. Conceding 35 goals away from home is catastrophic, but even at Home Park, where they have been marginally better, there are cracks that teams like QPR will look to exploit.

For Queens Park Rangers, the task is clear: deliver a rare performance on the road. Despite sitting comfortably in 13th place, the R’s have been inconsistent in their travels, with just two away league wins all season. Their most recent outing, a 6-2 humiliation at the hands of Leicester City in the FA Cup, exposed their defensive vulnerabilities. However, with their only away victories coming against relegation candidates like Cardiff City and Luton Town, Marti Cifuentes might see this as the perfect opportunity to pile further misery on the Championship’s bottom club.

With both teams desperately needing the points for different reasons, this game is set to be a cagey but compelling affair.

Best Bet: Queens Park Rangers to Win

While Plymouth have shown admirable fight under new leadership, Queens Park Rangers appear to have the edge in this encounter. The combination of QPR’s superior league position and Plymouth’s persistent defensive struggles makes an away victory the standout choice. Marti Cifuentes’ side may not have been at their best on the road this season, but they’ve shown that they can beat struggling teams, as evidenced by their wins at Cardiff and Luton. Against a Plymouth side plagued by absences in defence, this is a golden chance for QPR to take three points.

Plymouth’s home record offers some hope for the hosts, as they’ve only lost twice at Home Park all season. However, a closer look reveals that even at their best, their defence has been a liability. Injuries to key defensive players, including Kornel Szucs and Brendan Galloway, further weaken their backline. Conor Hazard’s fitness concerns in goal leave Muslic’s side exposed, and while Ryan Hardie’s potential return adds some attacking flair, it’s unlikely to compensate for their frailties at the back.

On the flip side, QPR’s ability to capitalise on such vulnerabilities makes them favourites. Their midfield, anchored by Sam Field and supported by Ilias Chair, has enough quality to control the game, while young forward Sinclair Armstrong has the pace to trouble Plymouth’s makeshift defence. Moreover, despite the R’s inconsistency on their travels, they’ve shown that when given space against teams who struggle defensively, they can take their chances.

As BettingTips4You.com expert Steve Harrington puts it: “Plymouth’s defensive woes and QPR’s ability to win against struggling teams make the visitors a smart choice here. This is a fixture where class and composure should prevail.”

Given QPR’s ambitions of closing the gap to the playoff zone and Plymouth’s fragility at the back, an away win feels like the most logical outcome.

Correct Score Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Queens Park Rangers

The prediction of a 2-1 away victory for Queens Park Rangers aligns with the patterns shown by both teams this season. Plymouth have struggled defensively, conceding freely, but they’ve also demonstrated a degree of fight that has seen them score in recent fixtures. With Ryan Hardie likely returning to the fold, the hosts should have enough firepower to find the back of the net, particularly given QPR’s own defensive issues, which were brutally exposed in their 6-2 FA Cup loss to Leicester.

However, QPR’s overall quality and experience should see them edge this game. Players like Chair and Armstrong can provide the creativity and finishing touch needed to unlock Plymouth’s backline. While Plymouth may match their opponents in determination, their defensive vulnerabilities—exacerbated by injuries—leave them too exposed to secure a result. A late push from the visitors could be the decisive factor in what should be a hard-fought affair.

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