Sports Mole previews Fridays’s Championship fixture between Coventry City and Queens Park Rangers, including team news and injury news.
Coventry City commence their second campaign at St Andrew’s with a Championship fixture against Queens Park Rangers on Friday evening.
While the Sky Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat at Bristol City on the opening weekend of the season, QPR got the better of Nottingham Forest at Loftus Road.
Match preview
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Despite having cashed in on star man Eberechi Eze, there is a feeling that QPR can only progress as a club, with Mark Warburton having made several additions over the past few weeks.
Four of the five signings were in the starting lineup as QPR recorded a deserved 2-0 win over Forest, with new forward Lyndon Dykes getting on the scoresheet from the penalty spot.
Having taken a big scalp in their first game, Warburton will now have to manage expectations, especially with funds still available to further strengthen a young squad full of potential.
Although the London outfit did suffer a 3-2 defeat against Oxford United in the EFL Cup first round, their early exit provided them with a week off, something which could give them an edge over their next opponents.
From Coventry’s perspective, it has been a case of what could have been after conceding late goals to lose out at Bristol City and miss out on progress through to the EFL Cup third round.
Mark Robins are particularly disappointed about the former, allowing the Robins to take the lead after 20 seconds before then shipping the decisive goal in the 82nd minute.
While there were positives to take from the performance in general, it was a wake-up call for the League One champions, who have been extremely busy in the transfer market.
Robins took the decision to rotate players for the midweek meeting at Gillingham, which they lost on penalties, and the occasion should have given the Sky Blues boss food for thought ahead of what is an important game as they bid to get off the mark.
Coventry City Championship form: L
Coventry City form (all competitions): WLL
Queens Park Rangers Championship form: W
Queens Park Rangers form (all competitions): LW
Team News
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Robins must decide whether to hand a start to Declan Drysdale, who was suspended for the first league game after his dismissal in the EFL Cup.
New signings Ben Sheaf and Tyler Walker are both pushing for recalls after being provided with 90 minutes in midweek.
Barring any late fitness issues, QPR boss Warburton could name the same XI which impressed against Forest.
That would leave George Thomas, a recent signing from Leicester City, having to wait for his first start.
Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Ostigard, McFadzen, Hyam; Pask, Sheaf, Kelly, Giles; O’Hare, Walker; Godden
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Kakay, Dickie, Barbet, Wallace; Cameron, Carroll; Samuel, Amos, Chair; Dykes
We say: Coventry City 1-1 Queens Park Rangers
While both teams will naturally push for maximum points, we do not expect many goals at St Andrew’s. With both teams able to acknowledge that they would be content with simply avoiding defeat for contrasting reasons, do not be surprised to see a low-scoring draw play out in Birmingham.
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