Preview: Queens Park Rangers vs. Luton Town – prediction, team news, lineups

Match Preview

Queens Park Rangers (QPR) will host Luton Town in a highly anticipated EFL Cup second-round clash on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium. With a spot in the third round up for grabs, both teams are eager to secure a win and gain momentum in their respective seasons.

Queens Park Rangers’ Season So Far

QPR has had a shaky start to the Championship season, earning only two points from their first three league matches. After an opening defeat to Cambridge United, QPR managed back-to-back draws against Sheffield United and Plymouth Argyle. Their recent match against Plymouth was particularly frustrating, as they failed to capitalize on a two-man advantage, ultimately settling for a 1-1 draw.

Despite these setbacks, QPR can find solace in their EFL Cup journey, where they secured a 2-1 victory over Cambridge United in the first round. With their sights set on advancing further in the competition, QPR will be aiming for their first home win of the season.

Luton Town’s Struggles

Luton Town, freshly relegated from the Premier League, has also experienced a difficult start to their Championship campaign. They opened with a heavy 4-1 loss to Burnley, followed by a goalless draw against Portsmouth, where they showed resilience despite being down to 10 men for over an hour. However, their fortunes didn’t improve as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Preston North End, leaving them in 23rd place.

Luton’s recent form has been disappointing, with their last victory coming back in April. As they head into this EFL Cup clash, the Hatters will be desperate to break their winless streak and progress to the third round for the second consecutive season.

Team News and Possible Lineups

QPR will be without key attacker Ilias Chair, who is sidelined with a back injury. Morgan Fox and Lucas Andersen are also expected to miss out, while Jack Colback will serve the second of his two-match suspension. Manager Marti Cifuentes is likely to make several changes to his lineup, with Joe Walsh, Liam Morrison, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Jonathan Varane, and Zan Celar all in contention for starting roles.

Luton Town has their own injury concerns, with Daiki Hashioka, Jacob Brown, Tom Lockyer, and Tom Krauss unavailable for selection. Goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski returns from a one-match suspension, while Liam Walsh could make his first start after debuting as a substitute in their recent match. Manager Rob Edwards is expected to rotate his squad, potentially bringing in fresh faces for this crucial cup tie.

Predicted Lineups

Queens Park Rangers: Walsh; Dunne, Morrison, Clarke-Salter, Paal; Varane, Dixon-Bonner; Smyth, Dembele, Saito; Frey

Luton Town: Kaminski; Bell, Burke, McGuinness; Walters, Walsh, Clark, Doughty; Nelson, Morris; Woodrow

Prediction

QPR’s last two matches have ended in draws, and this trend could continue in Tuesday’s EFL Cup fixture. While both teams are struggling with form, the match is likely to be a closely contested affair. Our prediction is a 2-2 draw, with QPR advancing via a penalty shootout.

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