Queens Park Rangers Match Preview

The result of the Emirates FA Cup third-round tie between West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers in Stratford back on 11 January gave the Hammers a great chance of Premier League survival but it was a battle they ultimately lost due to their results in May. Just under ten months on, they meet again in the Sky Bet Championship tonight, where the Irons will be looking to continue to build on their excellent September form and return to the top of the table ahead of the weekend’s games.

Since former West Ham goalkeeper, coach and club legend Luděk Mikloško had passed away on September 14, the team haven’t managed a victory but, they will have surely paid the perfect tribute to the 64-year-old if they could get back to winning ways here. Coincidently, their last league game here was also on Friday night and it was an occasion that will surely live long in the memory of every home supporter, as the East Londoners emphatically beat Wrexham 6-0 to end their unbeaten away record. Julien Stéphan’s side are in the same situation so the Irons will be looking for a repeat of that outcome. Remember, it’s been twenty two years since the hosts last tasted defeat against the Hoops.

Both sides would have been pleased with the outcomes of the games before the extended international break as points were rescued from losing positions. The visitors were 2-1 down at home to lowly Preston North End, whereas the ever-loyal fan base would have been delighted to bring a point back home from Millwall.

As is often the case, the action doesn’t stop here for these two sides, as they both have a busy week ahead of them. Tonight’s fixture sees them start a run of three matches in the space of just eight days, meaning neither team will want to give much away here.

It was announced this morning that Nuno Espírito Santo, together with defender Konstantinos Mavropanos had won the EFL manager and player of the month awards for September. That usually is a bad sign for any team looking to win their next game. Hopefully that won’t come to fruition tonight and they will once again be able to overtake Swansea City who currently occupy top spot.

Mohamadou Kanté won’t be available to the Head-Coach here as the French midfielder will serve a one-match suspension after being sent off late on at The New Den. In his pre-match news conference ahead of that game against the Lions, Espírito Santo was questioned about the futures of midfielders Edson Álvarez and Soungoutou Magassa. Either of that pair could be handed a rare start.

In this week’s news conference however, it has been suggested that Tomáš Souček could make an earlier than expected return from the ankle ligament injury that the Czech midfielder sustained at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He returned to action in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Sky Bet League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers during the international break. If Souček isn’t risked, then Edvin Austbø is also in contention.

Joël Veltman will undergo a late fitness test to determine whether he can return from injury.

Having recently returned from a short loan spell at Enterprise National League outfit Braintree Town, it was confirmed earlier this afternoon that youngster Regan Clayton has left East London for a second time and joined Scunthorpe United on a one-month loan and therefore won’t be available tonight.

The match is an 8pm kick-off and for the fourth successive game, live coverage will be screened by Sky Sports from 7:30pm. The referee is Ruebyn Ricardo.