Portsmouth v Queens Park Rangers: play-off push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Portsmouth host Queens Park Rangers in the Championship on Friday, 26 December 2025 at Fratton Park, with the home side aiming to pull clear of danger and the visitors chasing the play-off places.

Portsmouth sit 21st on 21 points, while Queens Park Rangers are seventh with 34. The recent head-to-head offers the hosts a positive note: Portsmouth won 2-1 at Fratton Park in February 2025.

Form points to contrasting momentum. Portsmouth ended a three-game losing run with a home win over Blackburn and then drew at Derby. Queens Park Rangers have won three of their last five, including a 4-1 victory against Leicester, with defeats coming at Norwich and Middlesbrough.

Injuries cloud the home squad list: Joshua Murphy, Connor Ogilvie, Conor Shaughnessy and Josh Knight are among those sidelined, which could stretch defensive depth. Queens Park Rangers list Ziyad Larkeche as injured.

The match-up could hinge on output at both ends. Portsmouth have averaged 0.9 goals per game and conceded 1.3 this season, so efficiency in front of goal will matter. Queens Park Rangers have scored 32 and conceded 34 in 22 league matches, and may again look to Rumarn Burrell, who has nine league goals and 12 goal involvements. Murphy's six assists this season underline what Portsmouth are missing.

A home win would lift Portsmouth to 24 points and could create breathing space above the relegation places. Victory for Queens Park Rangers would take them to 37 points and could move them into the play-off positions.