Southampton - Queens Park Rangers

Saturday 31 October 2026 marks a compelling Championship encounter at St. Mary's Stadium, where Southampton welcome Queens Park Rangers for matchday 13. The hosts enter the contest in strong form, highlighted by a hard-fought 3-2 victory over West Ham United last week. While Southampton must manage without the injured Cyle Larin and Flynn Downes, the expected XI features James Ward-Prowse anchoring the midfield. The visitors arrive brimming with confidence following a dominant 5-0 win against Swansea City, though they face a significant challenge as they continue to navigate the absence of Nicolas Madsen, Amadou Salif Mbengue, and Rumarn Burrell.

Historically, this fixture has favoured the home side, including a commanding 5-0 victory for Southampton in February 2026. Queens Park Rangers have shown resilience throughout their recent campaign, bouncing back from a heavy defeat at Birmingham City with their emphatic weekend performance. Both sides will look to leverage their attacking options, with Lewis Dobbin expected to lead the Southampton line against a resolute visiting defence anchored by Ronnie Edwards and Jimmy Dunne. With both teams showing clear intent in recent weeks, the tactical battle in central areas will likely dictate the outcome of this clash.