‘Improved significantly’ – QPR v Ipswich Town prediction

QPR welcome Ipswich Town on Saturday, for what is the R’s first league game at Loftus Road this season.

Gareth Ainsworth’s team lost against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup in midweek, following an impressive 2-1 win at Cardiff City last weekend.

Ipswich meanwhile currently sit in 1st place of the Championship table having taken maximum points from their opening two games; beating Sunderland and then Stoke City.

“Very tough game for QPR, this one. Ipswich look like the real deal and they showed on the opening day of the season that they can handle tough away games.

“The R’s rested a lot of players in midweek and after that win against Cardiff, and a decent performance v Norwich, they should have some confidence going into this one.

“But Ipswich may have more and after a strong start, I think they might come to Loftus Road and take all three points.”

“Ainsworth’s side appear to have improved significantly from their opening day defeat to Watford. QPR are still far away from the level they’d want to be at, but they picked up a win last weekend and their narrow defeat to Norwich last time out is also a sign of improvement.

“Ipswich Town will certainly be backing themselves to make it nine points from nine here. But, QPR will make it tough for them. I expect Ainsworth to try and stop McKenna’s side getting into any rhythm and if they successfully do that it becomes anyone’s game.

“I actually think this one is a hard one to call. Ipswich Town are riding a high at the moment so I’m going to back them, but it wouldn’t surprise me if QPR took something here.”

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The Terriers’ annual Walk For Pounds event will support motor neurone disease charity the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation in honour of iconic striker Marcus Stewart, who was diagnosed with the disease last year.

Huddersfield Town will hold the event – subtitled ‘Miles for Marcus’ – on Saturday September 30, with the date specifically chosen to coincide with the Championship visit from Ipswich Town, where Stewart also enjoyed huge success.

The centre-forward scored 58 goals in 133 league appearances for the Terriers between 1996 and 2000 before moving to Portman Road, where he helped Ipswich earn promotion to the Premier League and then scored 19 goals to aid them to fifth-place finish in their first season back in the top flight.

There are two routes available for Walk For Pounds this year, both starting at ending at the John Smith’s Stadium: a 4-mile accessible route, and a 18-mile route that takes in Castle Hill and Lockwood Park, home of Huddersfield rugby union club, where Stewart’s two sons play.

Anyone interested in signing up should click here, with all participants asked to pay a registration fee (£25 for a longer route, £15 for the shorter one) and pledge to a minimum sponsorship (£100 long, £30 short). Further details on timings and the route will be made available in due course, but the expectation is for the longer walk to start around 7am and the shorter one around 11am.

The minimum age for participants to walk either route unaccompanied is 14, and please note anyone between the ages of 14 and 16 will require a signed parental consent form. Children under the age of 14 can take part in the event but will need to be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Parental consent forms will be emailed to those who require them.

Town club ambassador Andy Booth said in a club statement: “We’re really proud to be able to arrange an event for Stewy. Ever since we heard of his devastating diagnosis the club wanted to do something special, and what better way than to dedicate our annual fundraising walk to Marcus and the fight against MND.

“Stewy has been a big part of Huddersfield Town ever since he signed from Bristol Rovers in 1996 and for me, he is the best player to have played for the club in the last 50 years, and one of my biggest regrets was that I never got the chance to play alongside him.

“This is a special event and hopefully we can get as many Huddersfield Town and Ipswich Town fans taking part to help support a fantastic cause but also to show our support to Marcus and his family in what will be their toughest battle. We’ve included a shorter walk that will be accessible for wheelchairs and prams to try and be as inclusive as possible. We want to show our collective appreciation of a truly special person during the lap of honour before the Ipswich game.”

Peter Harling, from main event sponsor Chadwick Lawrence, added: “The MND community and the awareness that people like the late great Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield, Marcus, and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation have created for the same is extraordinary.

“Health and wellness is at the core of everything we do at Chadwick Lawrence so we were extremely proud, honoured and only too pleased to be asked to support such a worthwhile cause and help play our part in creating further awareness to find a cure for MND.

“I would encourage as many of you as possible to dust down your walking boots and support Marcus and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation by walking Miles for Marcus.”