QPR will be looking for their first points of the season when they face Cardiff in their opening home match. Here are six potential battles we think could determine how the game is won or lost.
Nedum Onuoha v Joe Mason
Mason caused Fulham problems on Saturday but QPR have every reason to have confidence in skipper Onuoha, who is one of the best centre-backs in the Championship and marked his 100th Rangers appearance with goal against Yeovil in midweek.
James Perch v Anthony Pilkington
Winger Pilkington was excellent against Fulham, particularly in the opening stages. Perch, beaten in the build-up to the opening goal in Rangers’ defeat at Charlton, is likely to be tested on his home debut.
Karl Henry v Peter Whittingham
Whittingham was one of the division’s stand-out players not so long ago. More recently though he has struggled, leading to calls for Cardiff boss Russell Slade to replace him. If he plays, Karl Henry could have a key role in frustrating a man whose confidence seems to have taken a beating of late.
Tjaronn Chery v Kagisho Dikgacoi
QPR believe they have signed a genuinely top-class player in Dutch midfielder Chery – and that he could be a vital source of goals if Charlie Austin moves on. Slade, meanwhile, thinks South African holding player Dikgacoi, hampered by injuries last season, can perform the kind of role Shaun Derry and Ben Watson previously have in promotion-winning seasons at QPR and Watford respectively. It could be an interesting battle on Chery’s home debut.
Charlie Austin v Matt Connolly
Speaking of former promotion-winning QPR players, Connolly returns to Loftus Road having produced a man-of-the-match performance against Fulham. He could come up against Austin, whose future continues to be the subject of much speculation. Seb Polter and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas are among Rangers boss Chris Ramsey’s other attacking options.
Matt Phillips v Scott Malone
The Rangers wide-man missed a great chance to score at Charlton and was generally well short of his best. On his day he was outstanding in the top flight, so an in-form Phillips would be a huge asset in the Championship.
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This post was last modified on 16/08/2015