- League position: Queens Park Rangers are 2nd in the Championship after 4 games and they are unbeaten away from home with 2 wins in 2 away games.
- Recent form: Queens Park Rangers have won their last two games and are playing at a high level with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat from their last 5.
- Opponents' form: Charlton Athletic are 3rd in the Championship after 4 matches and they are also unbeaten at home with 2 wins from 2.
R’s have a real sting in attack
There is nothing to separate these two sides on recent form, but Charlton's 100% home record gives them a slight edge in the betting for Wednesday's Championship clash at The Valley. The Addicks are 2.37 favourites to take the three points with the R's 2.87 and the draw available at 3.25.
The result could certainly go either way because this game could be a real battle of patience against pressure. Nathan Jones has kept Charlton compact and pragmatic since taking charge, as befits their 4-2-3-1 system and personnel.
The Addicks are built to defend compactly and be dangerous on the counter and that's been exactly how the games have panned out for them so far. Tyreece Campbell has been their most reliable source of creativity and goals with 3 in 4 Championship games, although Lloyd Jones has chipped in with two of their five in their last five.
Home edge gives Charlton a slight advantage
Charlton at home
So far, there has been little in the way of fireworks in their two home Championship matches which they've won both. Jones' side have been solid and have done enough to win, but have clearly not overwhelmed anyone.
QPR in form
Julien Stephan has been a revelation for the R's and brought them a higher tempo, more fluid attacking shape and a greater readiness to pressure the ball when out of possession.
- Queens Park Rangers are in strong nick, with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat in their last 5, and have won their last 2 on the spin.
- Their 2-1 away win at Blackburn and 2-1 home success over Cardiff, both last week, have shown they can grind games out as well as attack with sudden flurries of intensity.
- Ilias Chair is their leading marksman with 2 goals in 4 games and is the most dangerous finisher in the team right now with his ability to run at or behind the opposing defense.
Draw a possibility and both teams to score an alternative
R's are averaging 2.50 goals a game away from home in the Championship, scoring five on the road, so they have a lot of firepower if this gets stretched in wide areas. But Stephan's team will still have to be patient to try to break down a Charlton side.
Charlton's bounce-back after the EFL Cup loss at Tottenham has been excellent with a 1-0 win over Preston at The Valley followed by today's 1-1 draw away at West Brom. But the real value could be in backing both teams to score in the game, given Charlton have scored three times in two home Championship games while QPR have scored five in two on the road.
