QPR brace themselves for a big game at home to Premier League opposition Crystal Palace with a place in the League Cup fourth round at stake.
Marti Cifuentes will be satisfied with his side’s performance since their opening-day loss to West Bromwich Albion. QPR, who face Crystal Palace this midweek, took the lead in that clash but ended up conceding thrice until the full-time whistle. However, they have stayed unbeaten in their following six games in all competitions.
That streak included victories in the League Cup rounds against Cambridge United and Luton Town. The freshly relegated Luton Town lost back-to-back games against QPR, as they were ousted on penalties in their second-round League Cup clash.
As for that ongoing six-game unbeaten run, manager Cifuentes will hope it continues, although there are significant doubts about it considering their next opponents. Premier League side Crystal Palace come for a visit at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, as QPR will have a more significant challenge than they might think.
Oliver Glasner, on the other hand, is still looking for a consistent rhythm with his Crystal Palace squad despite ending the previous season on a high note. After suffering defeats in the opening two games of the Premier League season, the Eagles have managed to come back and manage draws against Chelsea and Leicester City.
Last weekend, they faced the Foxes, who took a two-goal lead, which left Glasner’s side to put up a fight and snatch a draw. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s double at the weekend secured a point, as well as some momentum which Glasner will hope to use during this League Cup clash.
The only victory Palace have managed this season came in the League Cup clash against Norwich City, as they thumped their opposition with a 4-0 scoreline. Heading to QPR, the Eagles are clear-cut favourites to progress into the next round, although they will also anticipate an upset, something Glasner will want to avoid.
Team News & Tactics
QPR
QPR have a few injury issues in their squad, with Sam Field unlikely to make his presence in this game after being forced off in the first minute of the second half in the last match against Sheffield Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ilias Chair is also suffering from a back problem that should keep him out of the matchday squad for the Palace clash.
Marti Cifuentes is expected to name his strongest available lineup against Crystal Palace, with Joe Walsh expected to feature between the sticks. The back four will consist of Jimmy Dunne, Steve Cook, Liam Morrison and Kenneth Paal.
A midfield pairing of Jack Colback and Jonathan Varane will take shape, with Elijah Dixon-Bonner in the attacking midfield role. Zan Celar will lead the line for QPR, with the support of wide attackers Hevertton Santos and Koki Saito on either wing.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Walsh; Dunne, Cook, Morrison, Paal; Colback, Varane; Santos, Dixon-Bonner, Saito; Celar
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner continues to need a host of first-team stars, including summer signing Chadi Riad and Trevoh Chalobah. There are further absentees in Matheus Franca and Rob Holding, with the latter unlikely to be a part of the manager’s plans in the foreseeable future.
The Crystal Palace boss could shuffle his pack and bring in some fringe stars as well as those who need minutes under their belt to the pitch against QPR. Daichi Kamada, who was not part of the starting lineup at the weekend, could return, and partner Eberechi Eze behind in the attacking midfield zones.
Jean-Philippe Mateta could be afforded a rest following a hectic summer with France at the Olympics, meaning Eddie Nketiah could start in the No.9 role for Palace. There are some doubts about Chieck Doucoure’s fitness after being forced off with a fresh problem at the weekend.
Jefferson Lerma could be brought in and partner up with Will Hughes, as Adam Wharton could be rested. Nathaniel Clyne, Chris Richards and Maxence Lacroix could start at the back, as Marc Guehi could be given a rest, while on-loan goalkeeper Matt Turner could make his first start for Palace.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Turner; Clyne, Richards, Lacroix; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Kamada, Eze; Nketiah
Key Stats
- QPR are on a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
- QPR have won three of their last six games against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Crystal Palace have one win in their five games this season in all competitions.
- Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last three games across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Eddie Nketiah
Oliver Glasner offered the first glimpse of Eddie Nketiah to the Selhurst Park faithful, and the new signing did not fail to impress. The former Arsenal striker had an electric debut for Crystal Palace and will have made the manager think about starting him as a lone striker up front against QPR.
Nketiah ahs a big point to prove in his career, as he will be hoping to become a regular for Crystal Palace after leaving Arsenal. While his impressive display against Leicester City will help in some way to convince the manager to hand the striker more responsibility, Nketiah must repay the same with goals, as the QPR game will be a good outing for the forward to showcase his style and build up momentum.
Prediction
QPR 1-3 Crystal Palace
QPR are on a well-documented six-game unbeaten run, but on paper, only a few can see a way for them to extend that run when they host Crystal Palace. Marti Cifuentes will want his players to put up a fight and find a way past Glasner’s men, but it does look like a challenging prospect.
After a flying end to last season, Crystal Palace have somewhat struggled this term. They did get a momentum-boosting result with Norwich City in the League Cup and will welcome another such outcome as they take on QPR. Oliver Glasner’s men need a good game and win under their belt, and the Eagles are expected to move past their opponents into the next round of the League Cup.