Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers played out a goalless draw at the Bet365 Stadium in their Championship clash. Despite Stoke's commanding 73% possession and a flurry of shots, they couldn't break down a resolute QPR defense. Both sides had their moments, but ultimately, neither could find the breakthrough.
A Defensive Battle with Few Clear Chances
The first half saw both teams struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. Stoke's Divin Mubama and QPR's Amadou Salif Mbengue both received yellow cards in a tense opening 30 minutes. Stoke's Lamine Cissé also found himself in the referee's book just before the break, highlighting the physical nature of the contest.
Stoke's Possession Dominance Fails to Yield Results
In the second half, Stoke continued to dominate possession, completing 549 passes with an impressive 87% accuracy. However, their efforts were thwarted by QPR's disciplined defense, led by Jimmy Dunne, who won 14 duels. Despite having more shots, Stoke couldn't convert their chances, with QPR's goalkeeper making crucial saves.
Looking Ahead
Stoke's recent form has been inconsistent, with this draw following a loss to Sheffield United. They will need to find their scoring touch to climb the Championship standings. QPR, meanwhile, will be encouraged by their defensive resilience, having managed to secure a point away from home despite limited possession.
