Can Sheffield Wednesday maintain their edge over QPR in the Championship race? The recent clash between these long-time rivals on January 25, 2025, saw Sheffield Wednesday secure a convincing 2-0 victory away from home. This result continues to shape the narrative of their historic rivalry while impacting both teams’ positions in the 2024-25 English League Championship table.
Match highlights and key moments
The January encounter at Loftus Road remained goalless for much of the match, creating tension for both sets of supporters. Sheffield Wednesday broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute through experienced striker Michael Smith, who found the net with a clinical finish.
QPR pushed forward in search of an equalizer, leaving spaces at the back. This proved costly when Callum Paterson doubled Wednesday’s advantage in the 88th minute, effectively sealing the three points for the visitors.
The 2-0 scoreline reflected Sheffield Wednesday’s clinical performance on the day, despite QPR’s efforts to get back into the match.
Current season standings
Both teams find themselves in mid-table positions as of January 2025, with Sheffield Wednesday slightly outperforming their London rivals. The victory has helped Wednesday establish a small but significant gap in the standings.
| Team | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points |
|——|——|——-|——–|——–|
| Sheffield Wednesday | 11 | 8 | 10 | 41 |
| Queens Park Rangers | 9 | 11 | 9 | 38 |
Sheffield Wednesday’s superior win record has translated to a three-point advantage over QPR. Both teams remain within striking distance of the playoff positions, making every point crucial at this stage of the season.
Historical head-to-head analysis
The rivalry between QPR and Sheffield Wednesday stretches back decades, with their modern encounters producing fascinating statistics, Since 1995, the teams have met 30 times with Sheffield Wednesday holding a slight edge.
Wednesday have claimed 11 victories compared to QPR’s 9, with 10 matches ending in draws. The goal difference also favors the Yorkshire side, who have scored 41 goals against QPR’s 38 in these encounters.
Recent history particularly favors Sheffield Wednesday. QPR have struggled in their last five matches against Wednesday, failing to secure a single win while suffering four defeats and managing just one draw.
Form comparison and tactical assessment
QPR’s recent form against Sheffield Wednesday has been concerning for the London side. They’ve averaged just 1.0 goal per match while conceding 1.8 goals in their last five encounters with Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday have shown more consistency, winning two and drawing two of their last five matches overall. Their defensive organization has been particularly noteworthy, conceding an average of 1.2 goals per match.
The Asian Handicap statistics further illustrate the competitive nature of this fixture. QPR’s Asian Handicap win percentage stands at 33.3% in all matches against Sheffield Wednesday, while Wednesday’s percentage in their last five matches is 20.0%.
Implications for the remainder of the season
This victory strengthens Sheffield Wednesday’s position as they look to climb further up the Championship table. The three-point gap over QPR could prove significant in the final standings.
For QPR, this defeat represents another setback in their head-to-head record against Wednesday. Manager Marti Cifuentes will need to address their poor record against the Yorkshire side if they hope to overtake them in the table.
Both teams remain within reach of the playoff positions, making their remaining fixtures crucial. The return fixture later in the season will be eagerly anticipated by both sets of supporters as QPR seek revenge for this defeat.