Following Saturday’s late win over Chesterfield to set up an Emirates FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Southampton, Watford will be looking to return to winning ways in the league when they make the short trip to Queens Park Rangers this Sunday (January 14, 12noon KO).
As Valérien Ismaël and his charges finalise their preparations for the Sky Bet Championship match live on Sky Sports, here we take a look at all the stats, facts and figures surrounding the contest.
Previous Meetings
The Hornets will be looking to complete the league double over QPR after four first-half goals on the opening day of the season, in Ismaël’s first competitive game in charge. Watford haven’t won both matches in a season against the R’s since 2005/06, when Aidy Boothroyd was in charge.
However, QPR have lost just three of their previous 27 home league games against the Hornets.
In fact, the R’s have lost just one of the eight most recent meetings, coming on the opening day, and the side’s 51 Football League wins against Watford are more than they have against any other side, with their next highest total of 38 wins coming against Coventry City, Luton Town, Norwich City and Swindon Town.
Recent Form
Watford are unbeaten in their last four away league games (W3 D1), scoring 12 goals in that time. The last time the Hornets went five away games without defeat was in February 2021.
QPR’s bright start to life under new manager Martà Cifuentes saw them lose just once in his first six games, but since then they are winless in their last six matches (D2 L4).
The Hornets have both scored and conceded in their last nine matches (19 scored, 16 conceded), losing just twice in that time.
Opposition Stat Attack
Three players currently occupy the top spot in terms of goals scored for the Hoops so far this season – Lyndon Dykes, Chris Willock and Kenneth Paal (3), with the latter also leading the way in appearances (26), passes attempted (1,068), crosses attempted (127), and tackles attempted (57).
Moroccan midfidler Ilias Chair offers creativity to this QPR side, and tops the bill in terms of assists (4). He also has the most shots on target (20), as well as passes in the opposition half (584), and dribbles attempted (84).
Defensively, Steve Cook has completed the most clearances (88), whilst former West Brom youth product Sam Field leads the pack for blocks (12) and interceptions (39). He has also picked up the most yellow cards (8).
