After picking up four points from his first two games in charge of QPR, newly-appointed head coach Neil Critchleysuffered his first defeat when his side were comprehensively beaten 3-0 at home against Luton on Thursday night.
The R’s have now lost each of their last four league matches at Loftus Road and they have slipped down to 13th place in the table, but only two points separate them from Sunderland in fourth, with another wide open race for promotion seemingly on the cards in the second tier.
Indeed, a victory on Monday could see QPR climb back into the playoffs, and they should be confident of success having already beaten Sheffield United this season, with a solitary strike from Chris Willock securing a 1-0 away win in October.
QPR, who are unbeaten in their last six opening league matches of a calendar year, will be looking to do the double over the Blades for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign under former boss Neil qWarnock, who managed both sides during his esteemed coaching career.
While QPR are struggling to find consistency, Sheffield United have won eight of their last nine league matches, including each of their last five, and have put themselves in a strong position to secure at least an automatic promotion spot this season.
The Blades secured a 2-1 victory away at Blackpool in their most recent fixture on Thursday, with Sander Berge and James McAtee both on the scoresheet to help them move 11 points clear of Blackburn Rovers in third.
Paul Heckingbottom’s men are now battling with Burnley in what has shaped out to be a two-horse race for the Championship title, and the Blades are tasked with narrowing the three-point gap to the Clarets at the summit.
Sheffield United have lost their opening league match in each of the last three calendar years and all three were by a 2-0 scoreline away from home. However, the South Yorkshire outfit have won their last two visits to Loftus Road and will fancy their chances of continuing their fine form in 2023.
QPR duo Leon Balogun and Stefan Johansen are yet to feature under Critchley due to respective heel and calf injuries and they are unlikely to recover in time to face Sheffield United.
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Jake Clarke-Salter and Andre Dozzellare both doubtful after missing the defeat against Luton through illness and the pair will be assessed ahead of kickoff on Monday.
Critchley is expected to make minimal changes to his first XI, with Willock potentially coming in for either Tyler Roberts or Olamide Shodipo.
As for Sheffield United, Rhian Brewster, Rhys Norrington-Davies (both hamstring), John Fleck (leg), Ismaila Coulibaly (knee) and Jack O’Connell(ankle) are all ruled out due to injury.
