QPR’s win over top-of-the-table Burnley at the weekend was not only a surprise but crucially gave Gareth Ainsworth’s side a much-needed boost in their Championship survival hopes.
Substitute Chris Martin’s late header provided the Hoops with only their second win in 21 league games and saw the side move four points clear of the relegation zone with two games remaining.
Safety is not secured, but it is in QPR’s own hands and, for the first time in seemingly forever, fans can start to feel a little bit more optimistic about their chances.
Ahead of the run-in, Zach Barker takes a look at not only QPR’s chances but the rest of their relegation rivals as well…
18th: QPR (Played 44, 47 points)
Fixtures: Stoke City (A), Bristol City (H)
Although four points clear of the drop, it is worth noting that three teams below the Hoops have a game in hand.
Stoke are winless in their last five and only have pride to play for so this game could present QPR with their best chance of securing their status.
They won’t want to leave it until the final day of the season where they face a trickier Bristol City side in front of what is bound to be a nervous Loftus Road crowd.
19th: Rotherham (Played 43, 46 points)
Fixtures: Cardiff City (H), Middlesbrough (H), Wigan Athletic (A)
Rotherham’s run-in could become the most consequential depending on how the results swing.
They face fellow relegation candidates Cardiff City on Thursday before travelling to bottom of the table Wigan on the final day.
Sandwiched in between is a tough encounter against a Middlesbrough side who have already guaranteed their Play-Off place, a circumstance which may or may not prove beneficial to the Millers.
20th: Cardiff City (Played 43, 46 points)
Fixtures: Rotherham (A), Huddersfield (H), Burnley (A)
Level on points with Rotherham, Cardiff also have an intriguing run-in that could have serious implications for who gets relegated.
Their aforementioned match-up with Rotherham could help secure safety for either side, but should the Bluebirds fail to win, their final two games are a challenge – against in-form Huddersfield and newly-crowned Champions Burnley.
Unless the latter takes their foot off the pedal, it could be Cardiff who are at the biggest threat of slipping back into the bottom three.
21st: Huddersfield (Played 43, 44 points)
Fixtures: Cardiff City (A), Sheffield United (H), Reading (H)
Neil Warnock’s arrival has rejuvenated a side that looked destined for the drop, having only lost once in their last seven league outings.
Their schedule looks eerily similar to both Rotherham and Cardiff, with two important games against fellow relegation rivals.
The game against the Bluebirds on Saturday is likely to paint a clearer picture of what the Terriers need to do against second-placed Sheffield United for their game in hand as well as against Reading on the final day.
While their return to form has been impressive, Warnock’s men are nowhere near safe just yet.
22nd: Reading (Played 44, 43 points)
Fixtures: Wigan Athletic (H), Huddersfield (A)
An untimely six-point deduction has put Reading right in the relegation mire, sitting one point off safety.
While three of the sides above them have a game in hand, meaning their fate is completely out of their hands, Reading can only try to put points on the board and hope someone else slips up.
However, their final two games provide a real opportunity to pick up points against their direct rivals.
23rd: Blackpool (Played 44, 41 points)
Fixtures: Millwall (H), Norwich City (A)
The side with the hardest run-in by far, Blackpool take on two sides still harbouring Play-Off hopes.
Three points from safety with Huddersfield also having a game in hand, suggests the Seasiders’ path to survival may be an incredibly difficult one and also requires results elsewhere going their way.
24th: Wigan Athletic (Played 44, 40 points)
Fixtures: Reading (A), Rotherham (H)
Both the Latics’ games are against sides directly in and around them but, sitting four points below Huddersfield and coupled with the worst goal difference in the Championship, it looks like League One may already be their home next season.
That’s not to say they won’t have a hand in who joins them – both Reading or Rotherham should be wary.