Middlesbrough will be looking to make it back to back wins on Saturday afternoon.
Michael Carrick‘s side are set to make the long trip to Loftus Road to face QPR.
They will be doing that in the wake of a 3-1 win over Norwich City at The Riverside Stadium in midweek.
Middlesbrough came from a goal down to claim victory in that match, after Borja Sainz had been sent off for the visitors.
That result has left ‘Boro 12th in the Championship table, nine points clear of the relegation zone.
However, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton is expecting them to endure a more difficult afternoon on the road this weekend.
David Prutton expecting QPR win
Although they are battling relegation, QPR come into this one in some good form.
Marti Cifuentes’ side drew 2-2 with West Brom at Loftus Road last time out. They were unlucky not to win that game, which would have made it four straight wins for the R’s.
Following that result, they are 19th in the standings, one point clear of the bottom three.
However, Prutton expects them to get back to winning ways when they host Middlesbrough this weekend.
Writing in his regular predictions column for Sky Sports, the former Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder has predicted that QPR will beat ‘Boro, 2-1.
A tough ask for Middlesbrough
It does look as though this will be a tough ask for Carrick’s side on Saturday afternoon.
QPR are in excellent form right now. Having won 2-1 away at league leaders Leicester City last weekend, and after that performance in midweek, they will feel as though they can beat anyone in the division.
Given the way the table stands at the minute, they probably do need this win more than Middlesbrough as well.
That should provide them with further incentive, which may add to the pressure they are able to apply to their visitors.
It is worth noting that prior to Norwich City going down to ten men, Middlesbrough were poor on Wednesday night.
So there may also be concerns that they will struggle this weekend, when they are back playing against a side with a full compliment of players on the pitch.
QPR may also sense this opportunity here, and could be boosted by the backing of their home crowd too.
This therefore, could have the potential to turn into a frustrating afternoon for those of a Middlesbrough persuasion.