Watford complete their away programme for the regular season this coming Saturday when they travel down the A40 to face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
Whilst the campaign still promises much for the Golden Boys the same can not be said for the hosts who have suffered an unhappy time on and off the pitch.
To the outsider, Ian Holloway always seemed to have a tenuous hold on his first team coach role, but possible back room mutterings came to a head in January when ‘Ollie' reportedly approached Leicester City about becoming their manager following the sacking of Craig Levine.
Holloway was immediately put on gardening leave by Queens Park Rangers Chairman Gianni Paladini, who moved quickly to appease the fans still holding the former Bristol Rovers man in high regard, by handing the mangerial reigns to another
Waddock initially enjoyed a honeymoon period, a victory over Millwall courtesy of a single Marc Nygaard goal marking his debut game in charge, but since then the inconsistency that was undermining Holloway's side has resurfaced in a big way and the Hoops now find themselves in 20th position, a season's low, without a win in nine games. 
The side has managed to remain reasonably well clear of relegation trouble though and on occasions have troubled the best, never more illustrated than their meritorious double over now promoted Sheffield United.
Goals by Marc Bircham and Stefan Moore gave the West Londoners a narrow 2-1 home triumph right at the start of the campaign, and this result was perhaps bettered by a thrilling odd goal in five triumph at Bramall Lane in March, Nygaard, Paul Furlong and a Chris Morgan own goal securing a stunning come from behind victory for Waddock's men, ironically their last prior to the recent bad spell.
The inability of anyone to find the back of the net regularly for the Hoops has not helped their cause and Gareth Ainsworth is the top goal scorer with just nine, closely followed by Nygaard who has eight. It would appear that the sands of time are finally starting to catch up with
After returning to winning ways on Easter Monday Watford manager, Aidy Boothroyd will be keen to secure as high a position in the table as possible and will see this game as an opportunity to try out one or two new formations ahead of the play-offs that start in a couple of weeks time.
History of the
The most recent encounter between these two sides was just last season, in March 2005, with Queens Park Rangers running out comfortable 3-1 winners in a Coca-Cola Championship match.
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here.
Recent encounters between the teams: | |||||
2005/2006 | Tue 01 Nov | 3-1 | Q.P.R. | CHMP | |
2004/2005 | Sat 12 Mar | Q.P.R. | 3-1 | CHMP | |
2004/2005 | Mon 09 Aug | 3-0 | Q.P.R. | CHMP | |
2000/2001 | Wed 07 Mar | Q.P.R. | 1-1 | CHMP | |
2000/2001 | Sat 14 Oct | 3-1 | Q.P.R. | CHMP | |
1998/1999 | Sat 20 Feb | Q.P.R. | 1-2 | CHMP | |
1998/1999 | Sat 12 Sep | 2-1 | Q.P.R. | CHMP | |
Recent respective form guides
Queens Park Rangers have only collected one win and three draws from the last six home games played. Only five goals have been registered in this time, with six in the wrong end.
Queens Park Ramgers are hovering perilously just above the relegation zone, with 50 points from their 44 matches played, whilst Watford remain in third spot having accrued 77 points from the same number of matches played.
For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here.
Current form guides: | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
Q.P.R. | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 2 |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
Footymad's prediction…
It's been an indifferent run of form for Watford of late away from home, but here at the Golden Boys we see things improving, starting at
Sequence statistics: | |
Q.P.R. | Failed to win in previous 5 home matches. |
Not won in previous 2 away matches. | |