Queens Park Rangers are hoping to get another win on the road on Monday evening when they visit the Cardiff City Stadium to play Cardiff City on Boxing Day.

The Hoops could jump to joint-fourth in the Sky Bet Championship table with a win – potentially putting them just seven points from the automatic promotion spaces heading into the final fixture of 2022.

In their way though stand Cardiff who look to pick up a positive result, which would mean that the Welsh side are unbeaten in three fixtures.

City boss, Mark Hudson, has enjoyed a decent spell at the club since joining as a player – captaining the club between 2009 and 2014. He was appointed interim manager in October, picking up 13 points from a possible 33, which was a good start.

He was appointed permanent boss in November, and has since ensured that the Bluebirds have climbed out of the relegation zone of the Sky Bet Championship.

New QPR boss, Neil Critchley, looks to make it two wins from a possible two as the gaffer of the Rangers.

Team news

Queens Park Rangers have been handed a massive helping hand with midfielder Ilias Chair returning from Qatar where he represented his country, Morocco – playing once in the Middle East this tournament.

Despite this, QPR manager Neil Critchley is unlikely to have two players in Monday’s squad, with Leon Balogun and Stefan Johansen still recovering from minor injuries.

Cardiff manager Mark Hudson is hoping that winger Rubin Colwill will soon be available for the first time since August for selection after multiple injuries.

Likely lineups

Cardiff: Allsopp, Romeo, Ng, Kipre, Nkounkou, Ralls, Wintle, Harris, Robinson, O’Dowda, Etete

QPR: Dieng, Laird, Dunne, Clarke-Salter, Paal, Field, Dozzell, Iroegbunam, Chair, Willock, Dykes

Ones to watch

 

Callum Robinson

Cardiff City’s key player on Monday evening looks to be forward, Callum Robinson. After joining Cardiff in the summer of 2022 after spending two years at West Brom, the striker has made a flying start to life in South Wales.

Despite just playing 13 out of the 23 fixtures, the Republic of Ireland International has scored four goals – meaning he is the Bluebirds’ top scorer.

Chris Willock

One for the Cardiff City defence to look out for is QPR winger Chris Willock. The brother of Newcastle midfielder, Joe, Chris left Benfica B in 2020 to play at Loftus Road.

In 82 appearances for the Hoops, Willock has scored 16 goals, just under half of which have come this season, scoring seven in the Championship this year.

Match Details

Where is the game being played?

The game is being played at the Cardiff City Stadium, home of Cardiff City.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off is set for 17:15 (GMT) on Monday, December 26.

 

Where can I watch?

You can watch the game on Sky Sports, via Sky Sports Football.

 

 

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