QPR v Nottingham Forest predictions: Progressive Forest look decent value

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for QPR v Nottingham Forest in the Championship on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Nottingham Forest draw no bet
1pt 8-5 BoyleSports

Team news

QPR
Fit-again Sam Field could make his first appearance of the season. Lee Wallace is still out.

Nottingham Forest
Lyle Taylor, two-goal hero off the bench at Bristol City, is pushing for a start.

Match preview

Nottingham Forest, not so much a sleeping giant as totally petrified, have finally been brought back to life and can continue their revival under Steve Cooper at QPR.

The side who couldn't buy a win have pulled off four in six under their new helmsman, the only loss coming last Sunday when they were humbled 4-0 at home by Fulham.

Forest's progress, however, won't be measured by games against a side as tasty as Fulham – QPR, on the other hand, should be right in their wheelhouse.

Yes, it's away from home and Rangers are decent at the Kiyan Prince Stadium.

But they also boast the worst defence in the top half – 22 goals shipped in 14 outings – and have every right to be feeling deflated following Tuesday night's defeat on penalties at the hands of Sunderland in the last 16 of the League Cup.

Mark Warburton deployed a pretty strong side for that slog against the Black Cats, a match in which the Hoops failed to score in a game for the first time since March.

Barnsley, Bristol City and Preston have all been to the Kiyan Prince this season and scored twice and Forest, impotent for so long, look a threat up top where even talented ace Lyle Taylor can't seem to find his way into Cooper's front three.

Forest clearly don't mind a road trip having won their previous four away matches and closing the gap fast on the top sides, they are probably in a false position in the table and overpriced for this assignment.

Key stat

Since Steve Cooper arrived at the City Ground, Forest are averaging 2.1 points per game, QPR 1.5.

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