West Ham vs QPR prediction: Championship betting tips, line-ups and odds

The Championship returns on Friday after the three-week international break, and it gets off to a great start with West Ham United up against London rivals Queens Park Rangers (8pm, Sky Sports Main Event).

The Hammers have adjusted well to life in the EFL, following their relegation in May and currently sit second in the table, two points behind the leaders Swansea City.

They have taken 15 points from their opening eight games, their only defeat coming at home to Charlton back in August. Since then, they have won four and drawn two, including last time out against Millwall when they came from 2-0 down to secure a point.

Goals from Caleb Taylor and Camiel Neghli gave the home side a 2-0 lead at the break, only for Mohamadou Kante and Konstantinos Mavropanos to strike in a six-minute spell to level things up. They held on despite Kante being sent off with just a minute to go.

They are the standout favourites on betting sites to win the league at odds of 5/4, while you can get just 4/11 on them being promoted.

Friday’s opponents sit just four places and two points below the Hammers in the league table and have also lost just once this season.

That defeat came at home to Middlesbrough at the beginning of September, and they have drawn their three games since, against Charlton, West Brom and Preston North End.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are unbeaten in their last six meetings with QPR, winning four and drawing two since they lost back in 2004.

Matthew Rose scored the only goal of the game at Loftus Road to give Rangers the win against the side that eventually went back up to the Premier League via the play-offs.

The Hammers have won four of the last five home meetings between the two sides, including in the FA Cup last season when Crysencio Summerville and Taty Castellanos gave them a 2-1 win after extra time.

Their last home league meeting was in the Premier League in the 2014/15 season and the last one at Upton Park when an own goal from Nedum Onuoha and a strike from Diafra Sakho gave the home side a 2-0 win.

Despite the two sides being separated by just those two points, West Ham are strong favourites on football betting sites for the win, with the R’s as big as 5/1 in some spots.

After so long between league games and so many players being away on international duty, it’s always hard to predict how these ones will go.

Score draws have been a regular occurrence for both teams and this game may feature goals at both ends once more. But home advantage and the opportunity to go top of the league should power the Hamers to victory.

West Ham vs QPR prediction 1: West Ham to win & BTTS - 15/8 William Hill

No one has been involved in more goals than West Ham skipper Jarrod Bowen in the Championship so far this season, with four goals and three assists to his name.

His goals came against Wolves, Bolton (two) and Wrexham, and he has also scored twice in the Carabao Cup against south-coast duo Portsmouth and Southampton.

He’s 31/20 on some betting apps to score anytime while the 29-year-old is 5/1 to score first, as he has already done twice this season.

West Ham vs QPR prediction 2: Bowen to score at any time - 31/20 Quinnbet

West Ham: The Hammers will be without Kante after his red card against Millwall, but Joel Veltman could return after injury. Konstantinos Mavropanos is expected to be fit despite coming off in Greece’s goalless draw with Germany on Sunday.

QPR: Dennis Cirkin is suspended for the visitors after he was sent off in the draw with Preston, and they could also be without Glen Kamara if Fifa is asked to intervene in a club versus country dispute after the Finn was withdrawn before Tuesday's Uefa Nations League game against Hungary. Rangers also have injury doubts over Tariq Lamptey, Boy Kemper, Ilias Chair, Karamoko Dembele and Richard Kone.

West Ham: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Morato; Bowen, Mukasa, Engels, Solomon; Piroe; Castellanos

QPR: Charles; Mbengue, Edwards, Dunne, Adamson; Vale, Madsen, Varane, Poku; Scarlett, Burrell

Bettors should always gamble responsibly online. Always remain within a budget and never exceed it. Never chase your losses.

Anyone can lose a bet even if they know a lot about football. It is easy to get carried away with betting on football, so remain in control of your time and betting when claiming free bets or any other betting offers.

Bettors can use responsible gambling tools provided by gambling sites UK, such as deposit limits, loss limits and self-exclusion, among others.

Should you wish to seek help for gambling-related issues, there are several charities, organisations and healthcare providers who offer support and information:

We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Independent a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK’s best online gambling companies.

Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.

Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.