QPR vs Sunderland Preview: How to watch, team news, recent form and referee

All you need to know ahead of Sunderland's trip to QPR in the Championship.

Author:
Will Jeffries
Updated:
Feb 13, 2023 11:51 PM EST
Original:
Feb 13, 2023

Sunderland travel down to West London to face QPR as they look to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

If the Black Cats were to secure victory and results went in their favour, it would mean that the Black Cats would be in the play-off spots come the end of the night.

Sunderland will be backed by over 2,500 supporters at Loftus Road, where QPR have struggled of late.

Last time out Sunderland sealed a hard fought 1-0 win over Reading at the Stadium of Light, while QPR lost at home 2-1 against Millwall.

How to Watch

When: Tuesday 14th February 2023; Kick off: 7:45pm
Where: Loftus Road
TV: Sky Sports (Red button), SAFC Live

Team News

Chris Willock faces a race to be fit for QPR's game against Sunderland on Tuesday night after suffering a hamstring injury at the weekend, while Tyler Roberts will have a role to play after returning from injury.

Former Sunderland defender Jake Clarke-Salter will also be missing for the hosts as he suffered a calf injury in training last week.

Recent free agent signing Chris Martin will likely spearhead the home sides attack while Lynden Dykes recovers from injury.

Dennis Cirkin is among the travelling party for Sunderland after recovering from a concussion suffered against Millwall.

Lynden Gooch is still a few weeks away from training, while Niall Huggins will also be missing for the Black Cats after suffering a setback in his recovery.

Jewison Bennette will be pushing for his first league start after gaining some vital minutes against Reading.

Last Meeting

The two sides last played each other on Saturday 13th August 2022, with the teams playing out a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.

The Sunderland goals were scored by Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms, before Hoops scored a last-minute equaliser through goalkeeper Seny Dieng.

Sunderland Team: Patterson, Ballard, Batth, Cirkin, Gooch, Neil, Evans, Clarke, Pritchard, Simms, Stewart

Recent Form

QPR: DDLDL
Sunderland: DLWDW

Head-to-head (last 10 matches)

QPR wins: 4
Draws: 3
Sunderland wins: 3

Who is the referee for QPR vs Sunderland?

Chris Kavanagh will take charge of this match. He has refereed 22 games over the last 12 months and has issued 42 yellow cards.

Kavanagh last refereed a Sunderland game on Saturday 26th August 2017, when the Black Cats were beaten 3-0 away at Barnsley.

He will be assisted by Dan Cook and Daniel Robathan, with Will Finnie acting as the fourth official.

What the Managers have said

Neil Critchley will be looking for a reaction from his side after defeat to Millwall at the weekend, but is aware of the threat Sunderland pose.

Critchley said: "They're a really good football team. They've got lots of technical ability in their team and quality at the top end of the pitch.

"Tony Mowbray is obviously a very experienced manager. They had a good win at the weekend, they're right up there in the table and look like a team playing full of confidence.

"We're expecting another tough game."

Tony Mowbray is expecting another tough test against QPR, while also considering rotating the squad with games coming thick and fast over the next few weeks.

Mowbray said: "I think we might look to change a couple of things.

"You have to be careful, you can't change your whole team, but I think there's a few players that while they're not really under-performing, they're maybe not quite at the heights they would be if they were only playing one game a week.

"They're maybe not quite as sharp, quick or alert as they could be. I'll probably just try to freshen it up a little bit with one or two changes. Let's wait and see. It's a midweek game, and we've got another big home game coming up at the weekend against Bristol City.

"You have to be mindful of the schedule, although you never go, 'Let's not worry about this one and then win this one' - you want to win them all. But you have to try to trust your squad as you're doing it.

"In the modern day, it's called rotation, and you're just hoping that with your rotation, you don't weaken the team. That's why you try to bring squad depth in, although that's always about the quality within the squad rather than the numbers.

"Hopefully, if we do make one or two changes, the ones that come in continue in the same vein and help the team's performance."

Sunderland predicted line-up vs QPR

Tony Mowbray has suggested he will make 'one or two changes' to freshen up his side.

He has options after recent injury problems eased, but no one should be expecting sweeping changes.

Sunderland predicted line-up vs QPR (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Batth, Alese; Pritchard, O;Nien; Amad, Roberts, Clarke; Gelhardt