There is a perception that QPR are one of the most-improved teams in the bottom half of the Championship, yet that has not led to Marti Cifuentes’s team moving away from a relegation battle.
Since a three-match winning streak, QPR have failed to win any of their following three encounters, as well as not scoring in their last two fixtures.
A comeback 2-2 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion was a positive result, but that has been followed by a 2-0 defeat at home to Middlesbrough and a goalless draw at struggling Sunderland.
Cifuentes will point to the Hoops being a win over the Easter period away from potentially moving clear of the bottom three, yet their inconsistency has only increased the stakes ahead of this contest.
Just five points separate the teams sitting between 16th and 23rd, and the emphasis is on the West Londoners to record just their fifth home win in 20 attempts in this season’s second tier.
With Tony Mowbray taking an extended break from the dugout, Birmingham have made the decision to bring Gary Rowett back to St Andrew’s on an interim basis.
links >> Stream 1 HD Stream 2 HD Stream 3 HD Stream 4 HD
Three consecutive 1-0 defeats prior to the international break were enough to force that move, with Blues losing to Millwall, Middlesbrough and Watford respectively.
Birmingham are now without a victory in six games and have prevailed in just three of their last 17 league games, which have been under three different managers.
A reunion with Rowett may have come at the right time, yet he will be aware that the storm clouds over the club will remain until he can record Birmingham’s first league win since February 17
