QPR close in on PL return

Bet on the ChampionshipEaster Monday could be one of the biggest days in the history of Queens Park Rangers as they are just one game away from making a return to the Premier League.

Manager Neil Warnock and his men were held to a 2-2 draw against Cardiff City on Saturday which meant the celebrations had to be put on hold.

However, a win over Hull City at Loftus Road on Monday would secure the Hoops the Championship title and a return to the big time (QPR 3/4, draw 13/5, Hull 10/3).

The Tigers were largely disappointing over the weekend as they went down 4-2 against a Middlesbrough side who will want to put this season behind them as quickly as possible.

Hull are by no means out of the race for the play-offs though, as only three points separates them from the top six.

Rangers will be looking to Adel Taarabt for more inspiration on a big day, and the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is in fine form after bagging a brace against the Bluebirds on Saturday.

Both Hull and Rangers will be desperate for the points but with home advantage and the talented Taarabt in their ranks, the Hoops should get themselves over the finishing line.

Cardiff City are currently a point off the automatic places, with Norwich City holding that vital second spot in the Championship.

The Bluebirds are hitting form at just the right time and they will be full of confidence as they head to Deepdale to take on Preston North End (Preston 21/10, draw 5/2, Cardiff 11/10).

Strikers Jay Bothroyd and Craig Bellamy are back in the goals and the pair will be a threat to any side for the rest of the campaign.

Preston took a major blow to their hopes of avoiding the drop as they went down 4-0 to Millwall at the Den on Saturday.

Manager Phil Brown has a decent record of getting teams out of trouble, however this task seems to be a bridge too far and Cardiff are likely to condemn North End to League One next season.

The race for the fourth play-off place is really heating up with five teams battling for the one spot.

Nottingham Forest currently hold the crucial last play-off place and they make the journey south to face Bristol City (Bristol City 17/10, draw 12/5, Forest 7/5).

The Reds were handed a big slice of lucky pie on Saturday as they recorded a 3-2 victory over a determined Leicester City side.

Captain Paul McKenna struck a late volley at goal which squeezed through the hands of Chris Weale to fall into the net and secure the three points for Forest.

Bristol City will be disappointed with their 3-2 defeat at the hands of struggling Sheffield United at the weekend and will now be without Nicky Maynard for the game on Monday.

The striker was given a red card at Bramall Lane and will have to watch from the sidelines for this game.

City are no pushovers at Ashton Gate and they could hold Forest to a draw on Monday.

Leeds United are out of the play-off places for the first time since November after they were held to a goalless draw against Reading on Saturday.

The Whites dominated much of the second half but could not break the deadlock at Elland Road and now face a tricky away trip to Crystal Palace, who are fighting for survival (Palace 13/8, draw 5/2, Leeds 7/5).

Palace played out a 0-0 draw of their own against Doncaster in their last outing which leaves them just three points clear of the drop.

The London club will be desperate to get something out of this game but with the attacking threats that Leeds possess, it should be a crucial away win for the West Yorkshire side.

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