QPR, Oxford United and Cardiff City sent big relegation call in new Championship predicted table

A dismal run of Championship form in recent weeks had left QPR facing a relegation battle to end the 2024/25 campaign. The R’s picked up an important point against fellow strugglers Cardiff City at the weekend and travel to Oxford United in a six-pointer on Wednesday night.

A point against the R’s put Cardiff City level on points with Derby County, the Rams sitting just one place above the relegation zone and the Welsh side. QPR are five points above the drop zone in 16th with Oxford United one point and two places below the London outfit.

Defeat to Gary Rowett’s side at the Kassam Stadium would sound alarm bells for QPR, who had looked to be potential play-off contenders at one stage this season following a strong run of form over the festive period and New Year.

Cifuentes’ side lost just one Championship fixture between the end of November and the end of January, over a head-turning run of 13 fixtures. However, the team has now been defeated in five of their last seven league outings and are winless since Valentine’s Day.

‘Very important’: Marti Cifuentes previews Oxford United v QPR

There are still five rivals between QPR and the relegation zone as it stands but Cifuentes will know that a fight for survival is on his hands given recent form. Speaking after the draw with Cardiff City at Loftus Road, he said: “We need to get the points we need in the next few games. We need to build on this clean sheet, because Oxford will be, again, a very important game. We need to make sure that we push together in order to achieve the target."

"I value the effort the guys made in a game that wasn’t easy to play in. The response was there - the intent was there. I've been saying all the time that this group of players is an honest group. Some days we play better, sometimes worse, but the guys are trying always."

Oxford United will welcome QPR buoyed by an impressive victory over promotion-chasing Sheffield United at the weekend. Reacting to that result, Rowett said: "It's nowhere near job done, but it gives us a fantastic opportunity to go again on Wednesday against QPR who are fighting for their own points, but we've got to enjoy the performance and the desire of today.

"You've got to dig in, do whatever it takes to get the three points, and then put your feet up and watch whatever it is you like on a Saturday night."

Predicted Championship table

LondonWorld looks at the latest predicted Championship table courtesy of the stats experts at Opta to see if QPR are predicted to survive the drop once again this season.

1. Burnley, 95 points
2. Leeds United, 94 points
3. Sheffield United, 94 points
4. Sunderland, 85 points
5. Bristol City, 69 points
6. Middlesbrough, 69 points
7. Coventry City, 68 points
8. West Brom, 66 points
9. Millwall, 62 points
10. Sheffield Wednesday, 61 points
11. Watford, 60 points
12. Norwich City, 60 points
13. Blackburn Rovers, 59 points
14. Preston North End, 56 points
15. Swansea City, 56 points
16. QPR, 53 points
17. Portsmouth, 53 points
18. Hull City, 52 points
19. Oxford United, 52 points
20. Stoke City, 50 points
21. Derby County, 48 points
22. Cardiff City, 48 points
23. Luton Town, 46 points
24. Plymouth Argyle, 42 points