QPR vs Norwich predictions for Wednesday’s EFL Cup meeting at Loftus Road. The hosts will be keen to follow up their win over Cardiff in the last weekend with a success in the Carabao Cup. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions ahead of the fixture.
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Match Live Wednesday, 16th August at 7:45 pm In:
QPR vs Norwich Predictions
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Loftus Road Showdown: QPR and Norwich’s Championship Duel
Key Stats
– Norwich’s oscillating form evidenced by their 4-4 draw against Southampton, having led the scoreboard thrice.
– Both teams combined have conceded a whopping 10 goals in just four games between them.
EFL Cup Awaits Its Final Contender
The EFL Cup is all set to witness its concluding first-round bout as Queens Park Rangers welcome Norwich City to the iconic Loftus Road. While other EFL contenders grappled with an intense opening week, both QPR and Norwich enjoyed a much-needed break after their Championship debut games.
The Journey So Far
Queens Park Rangers’ Revival
After a disheartening 4-0 defeat to Watford, the Queens Park Rangers were arguably itching to bounce back. Gareth Ainsworth’s squad might have faltered at Vicarage Road, but that appears to have been a minor hiccup.
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The Hoops made a thunderous comeback last Saturday, clinching a 2-1 victory against Cardiff City. Goals from Sinclair Armstrong and Kenneth Paal on either side of the break marked a shift in spirits, right in time for their maiden match of the season at Loftus Road.
Norwich City’s Rocky Start
Norwich City’s return to the Championship post a year’s hiatus hasn’t been the fairy tale one might have expected. However, under the German management of David Wagner, the team has shown glimmers of hope. While a 96th-minute equaliser led to a jaw-dropping 4-4 draw against Southampton, it’s worth noting that the Canaries spearheaded the score three times during the match. Despite this, the game raised concerns as Norwich demonstrated vulnerability, conceding five goals in just two matches.
The Key Players to Watch
Sinclair Armstrong and Kenneth Paal’s crucial goals for QPR underline their form and potential to make a mark in the upcoming fixture. Their counterpart, David Wagner of Norwich, will be keeping an eye on them while strategizing to halt their momentum.
Predictions
1. Match Outcome Prediction
Both Teams to Score
Evidence and Justification:
- Queens Park Rangers (QPR):
- QPR might have celebrated a 2-1 win against Cardiff recently, but their defence remains a concern, especially with the painful memory of a 4-0 drubbing by Watford in the season opener.
- QPR conceded 5 goals in their initial 2 matches. Their success rate with duels is just 45.4%, suggesting that they are struggling in confrontational situations.
- QPR’s possession statistics are quite low at 32%, which means they’re often not in control of the game, allowing the opponent more chances to attack.
- Norwich City:
- Norwich, while exhibiting an impressive offensive strength, conceded an equal number of goals (5) in their first two games.
- They had a dramatic 4-4 draw with Southampton, emphasising both their attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities.
- Norwich’s Expected Goals (xG) ranks them second in the Championship, indicating they’re frequently creating significant chances.
- However, they have shown defensive lapses, conceding from 2 penalties in the past two games.
2. Correct Score Prediction
Norwich 3 – 1 QPR
Evidence and Justification:
- Queens Park Rangers (QPR):
- Their recent 4-0 defeat to Watford, coupled with last season’s poor form post-World Cup, paints a grim picture.
- QPR’s squad depth is questionable. With an anticipated rotation on the cards for the cup match, they might not bring their strongest eleven to the pitch.
- Norwich City:
- Norwich have shown they can score with 6 goals in 2 games. Their attacking game is potent, especially with players like Jonathan Rowe and Gabriel Sara leading the charts in terms of goals and performance.
- Norwich dominates the ball better than QPR, with an average possession of 43.5% and a more impressive 81.6% passing accuracy.
- The predicted outcome is driven by Norwich’s firepower and QPR’s defensive frailties, even if rotations come into play.
3. Goalscorer Prediction
Jonathan Rowe to Score
Evidence and Justification:
- Jonathan Rowe:
- The midfielder has started the season on a strong note for Norwich. With 2 goals in 2 matches, he’s proving to be a vital asset in Norwich’s offensive line-up.
- Given QPR’s defensive struggles and Rowe’s current form, he emerges as a solid choice to find the net in the upcoming fixture.
- Additional Note on Norwich’s Squad:
- Norwich boasts a considerably deeper squad than QPR. Even with rotations expected, players like Gabriel Sara, Josh Sargent, and Adam Idah, who have already registered goals this season, provide ample attacking options. This depth can prove crucial, especially against a QPR side which might field a less experienced line-up.
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