Kevin Phillips: West Ham will have too much for firepower for QPR

Kevin Phillips expects West Ham United’s firepower to prove too much for QPR, but believes the visitors can underline their promotion credentials by taking something from one of the Championship’s toughest away trips.

West Ham have scored 22 goals in their opening eight league games – more than any other side in the division – while QPR have conceded just seven times, giving them the second-best defensive record in the Championship.

That sets up an intriguing battle between the Hammers, in second place, and sixth-placed Rangers at the London Stadium this Friday, with Phillips predicting a game that could swing dramatically between the two extremes.

“Yeah, this could either go a 3-3 or a 0-0. It’s got those kinds of ingredients written all over it,” the former England and Sunderland striker told BestBettingSites.co.uk.

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Hammers on fire as QPR face tough test

“Listen, it’s West Ham at home. It’s always a tough place to go. If QPR go there and keep a clean sheet, then good luck to them.

“I can’t see that personally.

“I think West Ham are on a roll now; they’re scoring goals for fun, and no wonder they’re the top goalscorers in the league.”

QPR have made an impressive start to the campaign, with their only defeat coming against Middlesbrough.

Their wins over Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth have seen Julien Stephan’s side race into early play-off picture, but Phillips sees the trip to West Ham as a major test of their credentials.

“I think from QPR’s point of view, it’s a test for them,” he said.

“If they want to continue the fine form they’re in, if they go there and get some kind of result, then they are certainly going to be in the mix, especially for the play-off places.”

Alexander tasked with reviving Preston

Preston’s appointment of Graham Alexander has given the club a manager with plenty of experience of turning difficult situations around, although Phillips admits the former North End captain faces one of his toughest challenges yet.

Alexander returns to Deepdale having left Bradford City, where he had guided the Bantams to the top of League One before his departure, with Preston sitting 23rd in the Championship.

“I think he needs to get off to a good start, doesn’t he? He’s coming into a difficult situation,” Phillips explained.

“Listen, the biggest added bonus is he knows the football club; he knows the fans, so that’ll give him some time on his side.

“Graham has got a pedigree of getting teams out of the mire.

“This will probably be one of his most difficult challenges, especially in the Championship with the quality there.

“They’re sitting 23rd. It’s going to be difficult, but there’s no one better to have given the job to, with his experience.

“But he needs to get off to a good start and try and get out of that rut of not winning football matches.”

Lankshear and Lopez set for showdown

There is also an intriguing individual battle at the Riverside on Saturday, with Middlesbrough’s Will Lankshear and Wolves’ Fer Lopez going head to head after making strong starts to the campaign.

The pair have six goal contributions apiece, although Phillips sees them as very different types of attacking players.

“I’ve seen him [Fer Lopez] live this season; he ran the game at Birmingham.

“He’s a fantastic player; he scored against West Brom last outing. He has got everything, the kid.

“He’s definitely their best player. He’s an influential player. Everything goes through him. So he’s a top player.

“And the same with Lankshear, different type of player, an out-and-out striker, but he’s scored goals. And again, a huge player for Boro.

“So as I always say, teams that want to get promoted or want to be in the mix, you have to keep your best players fit throughout the season.

“And hopefully they continue the fine form they’ve showed already this season.

“So yeah, it’d be fascinating to see how those two match up at the weekend.”

Kevin Phillips’ comments were made in an exclusive interview for BestBettingSites.co.uk.

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