QPR vs Watford
FA Cup 2018-19
Venue: Loftus Road
Date: Friday 15 January, 2019
Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
After successfully spoiling former manager Marco Silva's return to Vicarage Road and increasing their lead over Everton in eighth place in the Premier League to four points, Watford now turn their attention back to FA Cup action.
Having already seen off non-league Woking and Newcastle this year, the Hornets now make the short trip to west London to face Championship outfit QPR for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Steve McClaren's side have fallen back into the middle of the second-tier pack after recovering from a woeful start to briefly threaten a play-off push and almost pulled off a remarkable comeback from 4-0 down against Birmingham last weekend before throwing away a half-time lead in a 2-1 loss at in-form Bristol City.
QPR ousted promotion-chasers Leeds in the third round and needed a replay to topple League One Portsmouth and reach the last 16 for the first time since 1997.
Team news
Watford boss Javi Gracia changed his entire starting lineup in both previous rounds and seems likely to make several alterations once again on Friday evening, with the likes of Heurelho Gomes, Adam Masina, Nathaniel Chalobah, Adalberto Penaranda and Domingos Quina among those players expected to be handed another opportunity to impress.
Forward Isaac Success missed the top-flight meetings with Brighton and Everton with a hamstring injury, while winger Roberto Pereyra has been suffering with a calf issue.
Sebastian Prodl is inching closer to a return following a long-term knee problem. Kiko Femenia also remains out, while Jose Holebas is suspended after collecting his 10th yellow card of the season.
Score prediction: QPR 2-1 Watford
With plans to scrap FA Cup fifth-round replays in 2019/20 brought forward by a season, this cup tie will have to be settled on the night and much could depend on what sort of line-up Watford decide to field.
A QPR team involved neither in the race for promotion or relegation from the Championship who have battled hard to reach this stage for the first time in 22 years surely will not take the game lightly and should pose a more significant threat than plucky Woking or a much-changed Newcastle outfit.
If Watford switch things around too much as they look to prioritise challenging for a top-seven league finish, it is not hard to see an upset developing at Loftus Road.
However, the fact that QPR are playing twice in the space of just 72 hours - and are without a league win since Boxing Day - could also be a significant factor.
QPR vs Watford tickets
To check ticket availability click here to head to QPR's website.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- QPR to win: 10/3
- Draw: 5/2
- Watford to win: 9/10
First goalscorer odds
- Andre Gray: 9/2
- Troy Deeney: 6/1
- Roberto Pereyra: 13/2
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting from 7.15pm. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
These two sides have met on 111 previous occasions, with QPR winning 49 and Watford 32 with 30 draws.
They last squared off in the Championship in 2013/14, drawing 0-0 at Vicarage Road before Charlie Austin's late goal in the return fixture helped the Hoops seal a 2-1 win and a place in the play-offs.
