Following Sunday`s dismal defeat away to Spurs, QPR make the trip north to Burton where the two sides will face in the Capital One Cup. It will be the first competitive meeting between Burton and QPR and it has all the makings of a giant killing.
Burton have been impressive so far this season, winning four and drawing one of their five fixtures. It`s even more encouraging for the Brewers when you consider how well they`ve coped with the loss of talisman Billy Kee to Scunthorpe United. They`re enjoying a decent run at the moment and will fancy themselves to beat QPR tonight.
In contrast, QPR are in need of a pick me up after the drubbing by Spurs. Rangers were beyond abysmal against the Lilywhites and it reminded me of many displays under Mark Hughes. You`d hope Harry Redknapp will pick a strong side tonight and try to really hammer Burton, but in all likeliness the R`s will field a reserve side in a bid to avoid injuries for the Premier League.
Burton Team News:
Albion midfielders Lee Bell, Damien McCrory and Jimmy Phillips are all sidelined with knee injuries.
Possible line up:
EDWARDS – TAFT – SHARPS – CANSDELL-SHERRIFF
MCFADZEAN – WEIR – MOUSINHO – MCGURK
BEAVON – AKINS
Player to watch: –
QPR Team News:
New summer signing Eduardo Vargas is unavailable as he is yet to receive his work permit.
Possible line up:
ONUOHA – EHMER – HILL
SIMPSON – FAURLIN – DOUGHTY – MUTCH – YUN
ZAMORA – HOILETT
Player to watch: –
Match Facts & Stats
PREVIEW FACTS
The Brewers have only made it into Round 3 once in their League Cup history, being eliminated by eventual finalists Bradford in 2012/13.
Burton`s only previous League Cup meeting with a top-flight side ended in a penalty defeat (to Fulham last season).
Three of QPR`s last four eliminations in the League Cup have come to sides from a lower division than them.
The Brewers` nine previous League Cup games have seen a total of 45 goals scored.
The R`s have kept three clean sheets in their last five League Cup games on the road.
Ref Watch:
Referee: Paul Tierney
Assistants: Matt McGrath & Thomas Nield
Fourth Official: Gary Sutton
Paul Tierney is the match official for tonight`s encounter against the Brewers. Last season, Tierney issued 110 yellow cards and 13 red cards in 35 games.
Match Prediction:
2-3 QPR win.
Next Fixture
Who: Sunderland
Where: Loftus Road
When: 30/08/2014