HARRY REKDNAPP knows home advantage over the festive period is crucial to QPR's survival bid ahead of the Boxing Day clash with West Brom.
Redknapp's side welcome Albion on Wednesday afternoon in the first of two games at Loftus Road in the space of four days.
Rangers return to W12 following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle which brought the R's boss unbeaten start as manager to an end.
Redknapp, though, remains positive about his side’s chances of survival this season but admits they must hit ‘top six form’ for the remainder if they are to avoid the drop.
“We’ve still got a big chance,” he told www.qpr.co.uk. “That was our first defeat at the weekend since I’ve arrived.
“We defended for our lives and looked like we were going to come away with a good point which would have been vital.
“We didn’t quite make it but we’ve got two big games at home to come and we’ve got to try and pick some points up out of those now.
“If we can do that and bring one or two [players] in Janaury then we’ve got a chance.
“If 40 points is the magic number then really you’re looking at hitting top six form.
“But it can happen. You can go on a run and do that. We’ll give it a good go.
“It’s going to be hard but I still believe we can do it.”
Lying two points off third, the Baggies have been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League season so far.
The R’s were worthy winners against Fulham last time out at a partisan Loftus Road and the R’s boss hopes a similar atmosphere can spur his side onto another positive result.
He said: “They’ve done really well. Steve Clarke has done an excellent job.
“They’re a side that’s been building for years and has got better every year.
“But we’re at home, we won our last home game against Fulham and we’ve got to be ready now for West Brom and Liverpool.
“The crowd were great for the last home game and they’ve got to show the same passion again, as have the players, and if we do we’ll be hard to beat.”
After missing out at St James' Park, Redknapp also hopes to be boosted by the return of full-backs Nedum Onouha and Armand Traore for the visit of Albion.
“The two full-backs weren’t fit at Newcastle which was a shame because they did well against Fulham.
“We’ll have to see how they are.”