Southampton vs QPR: Championship Clash – Preview, Team News & Predictions
Julien Stephan, QPR’s manager, is hoping his team can replicate the impressive performance they displayed in their recent 3-1 victory against Hull City when they travel to face Southampton on Tuesday (20:00 GMT). The R’s, after a spell of just one win in six matches, delivered a strong second-half showing at the MKM Stadium, boosting their Championship campaign.
QPR’s Momentum and Play-off Ambitions
Despite currently sitting 13th in the Championship table, QPR are only four points away from the coveted play-off positions and are level on points with Southampton, who occupy 11th place. This makes Tuesday’s match a significant one for both teams, with a lot at stake.
Speaking to BBC Radio London, Stephan emphasized the importance of maintaining the right mindset when playing away from home. “It’s a question of mindset when you are away from home,” he stated. “Physically we did very well in the (Hull) game and it will probably be the biggest challenge for us to be able to repeat the same thing physically just three days after, but if you want to show some consistency it’s very important for us to be able to do that.”
Facing a Formidable Southampton
Southampton are currently enjoying a good run of form, and Stephan acknowledges the quality within their squad. “Southampton are on a good run, it’s not a surprise, they have some very good players and I think the expectation for them is to be promoted,” he explained. He anticipates a tough encounter but believes that if QPR can match their performance against Hull City, both mentally and physically, they will have a chance to secure a positive result.
“It will be tough but if we are able to repeat mentally and physically what we did against Hull we will have some chances. Let’s see if we are able to do that, I really hope we can.”
The Championship’s Demanding Nature
Stephan has quickly learned the key to success in the Championship is resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. “It’s normal to have some ups and downs. You’ll have some bad moments sometimes and the ability to break these bad moments quickly is the key point in the Championship,” he said.
He added, “The big lesson from the season for me, when you are in a bad run or after a bad game, switch immediately. You don’t have to stay down too long. In the Championship everything can change very quickly. You have to shut out the noise and stay focused on your team and players and process.”
This match promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with ambitions of climbing the Championship table. The ability to maintain consistency and overcome physical challenges will be crucial for QPR as they aim to upset the in-form Southampton.
For more information on the Championship, visit the official EFL website.
