Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

With the pressure now off in terms of looking over their shoulder to the bottom three, it could be an all-new, relaxed QPR who take to the field today against play-off chasers Cardiff. The R's already had renewed vigour in their steps against Crystal Palace, though it was a game which hardly required extra motivational coaching from manager Neil Warnock. That was a must-win game against close rivals, both in terms of geographical position and league places, but the incentive for today's game isn't quite as obvious, apart from adding some extra respectability to the team's league finish.

The lack of a pressing need to win could work in Rangers favour though, especially as their opponents have more reason to be nervous. Cardiff appear to be in a fairly insurmountable position to reach the play-offs but they've thrown away the opportunity in the past and will be desperate to get the three points they need to secure their play-off berth. If Rangers can play on their tension, they could nudge themselves up the table.

QPR Team News

QPR will of course be without Damion Stewart following the horrible injury he sustained in the vital Palace victory. In the first minute of the game, the defender collided with Calvin Andrew which required his immediate withdrawal from the field.  It later transpired that he'd suffered a fractured skull and bleeding into the brain, but he left hospital yesterday with MRI scans revealing that the bleeding has now settled. He won't play again this season though and will have weekly scans for the next few months.

With Matt Connolly still recovering from an ankle injury, Peter Ramage is a good bet to fill in at centre-back and though he is likely to be busier today than against Palace, he could make a decent pitch to be considered in that position on a regular basis. Mikele Leigertwood will drop to right-back to cover Ramage's switch, with Dusko Tosic also hoping to build on his impressive debut against Palace at left-back.

Cardiff Team News

Midfielder Joe Ledley is likely to return for Cardiff after a quicker than anticipated recovery following operations on both hips. Manager Dave Jones has been paying tribute to the player, who is out of contract at the end of the season, this week.

"Joe gives everything he's got. That's been proved by him trying to get back as quickly as possible," said Jones.

The Bluebirds should also be able to call on captain Mark Hudson, Michael Chopra and Kelvin Etuhu who have all recovered from minor injuries.

Form

There have been few wider gaps, in terms of performance, in two consecutive games than with QPR's 4-0 defeat at Leicester City and then 2-0 win at Palace. Whereas the former showed a team lacking in ideas and togetherness, the latter was a side reborn (without getting too carried away). It also surely put to bed any remaining fears about their future in this league, as with a game in hand over Palace and Sheffield Wednesday, they are highly unlikely to now get caught.

Last weekend's win then was vital and came on the back of a poor run in form, with no wins in seven games prior to that. QPR are still unbeaten at home under Neil Warnock though - two wins and three 1-1 draws from his first five at Loftus Road, which could be taken as a promising marker for next season if the improved atmosphere and attendances can be carried over.

Cardiff are taking their time in confirming a surely inevitable place in this season's play-offs. One more win will do it, with seventh-placed Blackpool seven points behind them, but following a trio of wins against Palace, Leicester and most importantly, rivals Swansea, they've endured goalless stalemates against Nottingham Forest and Reading. They're unbeaten in eight and have won nine games on their travels this season, a record only bettered by the promoted sides, Newcastle and West Brom.

Prediction

I thought QPR would be suffering with the nerves for a couple more games yet this season and was genuinely taken aback by their commitment and team-play against Palace, which I still think ranks as one of their best performances of the season. As a result, it could be Cardiff left to stew over the table following today's games should Rangers continue where they left off and pick up another win.

That said, the players returning for the away side today could be key. I don't think Cardiff can muster the win which will allow them to breathe a sigh of relief, but I'd be equally as surprised to see the Hoops take all three points. But I did say that last weekend...

SCORE DRAW