QPR vs Crystal Palace Predictions

QPR vs Crystal Palace predictions for this EFL Cup clash. Crystal Palace travel to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium to face Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday evening in the third round of the 2024-25 EFL Cup. Read on for our free match preview and betting tips.

EFL Cup | Third Round | Sep 17, 2024 at 7.45pm UK at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium

QPR vs Crystal Palace Predictions

Can Crystal Palace Bounce Back Against QPR in the EFL Cup?

• Crystal Palace’s Attacking Threat
  • Palace have been ruthless in the EFL Cup, averaging four goals per game so far. Their ability to create and convert big chances is evident, with 14 shots per game and five shots on target in their previous cup outing. With Mateta in scoring form, their attack will be hard for QPR to contain.
• QPR’s Defensive Vulnerabilities
  • QPR have struggled at the back, failing to keep a clean sheet in all competitions this season. Conceding 1.6 goals per game and allowing 15.8 shots on average, their defence is prone to being breached, especially against higher-quality opposition like Palace.
• Palace’s Defensive Solidity
  • While QPR have yet to keep a clean sheet, Palace have shown defensive prowess, not conceding a single goal in their EFL Cup journey. This contrasts with QPR’s tendency to leak goals, making a clean sheet for Palace a strong possibility, particularly given their superior passing accuracy and ball retention.

Best Bet

As Crystal Palace travel to face Queens Park Rangers at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Tuesday evening, the stakes are high in the third round of the EFL Cup. The Premier League side are looking to rejuvenate their season after a string of underwhelming performances, while QPR come into this fixture with the confidence of an unbeaten streak, although they have also been reliant on draws.

Palace, having dismantled Norwich City 4-0 in the previous round, will be hoping to assert their Premier League quality once again, whereas QPR, fresh off a hard-fought penalty win over Luton Town, aim to prove they can compete with top-tier opposition. Both teams have much to gain from this encounter, but Palace’s higher-quality squad and recent cup form suggest they may have the upper hand.

Given the quality gap between the two sides and the form shown by Crystal Palace in their recent EFL Cup performance, backing them to win with a -1 handicap appears the most compelling bet. The Eagles come into this match with a stronger squad, having already proved their worth in the competition with a dominant 4-0 victory over Norwich. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who netted twice in that game, is in fine form, supported ably by Daichi Kamada and Ismaïla Sarr, both of whom got on the scoresheet as well.

Looking at the numbers, Crystal Palace are solid when it comes to both attacking and defending. Their ball retention and passing accuracy, especially in the opposition half, stand at an impressive 85.1%. This shows they have the ability to control games against teams like QPR, who are struggling defensively this season, having conceded in every match across all competitions. Despite QPR’s unbeaten run, their inability to keep clean sheets, coupled with their lower possession statistics (averaging 46.8%), puts them at a clear disadvantage.

Palace’s defensive resilience has also been evident in the EFL Cup, where they’ve yet to concede a goal. In contrast, QPR’s backline has looked shaky, conceding 1.6 goals per game in the Championship. The absence of key players like Ilias Chair further weakens their midfield creativity, leaving them vulnerable to Palace’s pressing and quick transitions. Crystal Palace, though not in sparkling form in the Premier League, are a side capable of turning up when needed in knockout competitions, and their efficient performance against Norwich highlights their potential to dominate this match.

According to BettingTips4You.com expert Steve Harrington, “Crystal Palace’s superior squad depth and QPR’s defensive frailties make the -1 handicap an attractive option. With the likes of Mateta and Kamada leading the line, Palace should have too much for QPR to handle, especially given their struggles to keep opposition out.”

In sum, Palace’s superior talent across the pitch and the sharp form of key players suggest they should comfortably cover the -1 handicap, winning by at least two goals. This prediction aligns with both their cup form and QPR’s defensive record, making it the best bet for this fixture.

Correct Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 3-0

The logical extension of the best bet prediction would be a comfortable victory for Crystal Palace, and a 3-0 scoreline fits the data at hand. With QPR struggling defensively and Palace’s superior firepower, a comprehensive win for the Premier League side seems likely. Palace have shown the ability to control games against weaker opposition, and their defensive record in the EFL Cup thus far suggests they can keep a clean sheet.

QPR’s inability to keep a single clean sheet this season, coupled with their reliance on Michael Frey and Alfie Lloyd for goals, points to a game where they could struggle to breach Palace’s backline. Meanwhile, Palace’s attack, led by the in-form Mateta, combined with supporting acts like Kamada, is likely to exploit QPR’s defensive frailties.

Crystal Palace are averaging four big chances per game in the cup, compared to QPR’s 1.6 in the Championship. These statistics point towards a high-scoring game for Palace, particularly when considering QPR have been conceding 1.6 goals per game in the league. Therefore, a 3-0 win for Palace fits both the tactical narrative and the statistical background of this match.

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