QPR look to cause a giant killing as they welcome Everton to Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in the stand-out tie from the opening set of Round Three fixtures in 2021-22 Carabao Cup.
Mark Warburton’s Hoops are looking to advance beyond this stage for the first time in 13 seasons, whereas Everton are looking to reach the Fourth Round for the fourth time in last five seasons.
Team News
Luke Amos could make his first start in 11 months for QPR after recovering from a knee injury as Warburton looks to rotate his squad.
Sam Field and Lee Wallace remain ruled out with respective knee and hamstring injuries.
Everton will again be without goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford after he missed Saturday’s loss at Aston Villa with a shoulder injury.
Richarlison (knee), Seamus Coleman (hamstring) and Jean-Philippe Gbamin (quad) also join Pickford plus Fabian Delph (shoulder) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (muscle) on the injury list.
Stat Attack
- This is QPR’s first-ever League Cup tie against Everton, although the Hoops have lost all three previous meeting across all cup competitions – albeit in FA Cup.
- QPR are winless in their last six meetings against Everton in all competitions (D2, L4).
- Everton have lost just one of their last five away trips against QPR in all competitions (W2, D2, L1)
- Rob Dickie has scored the opening goal in QPR’s two Carabao Cup matches this season.
- Moise Kean was only the third Everton player ever to be sent off in an away League Cup tie after his red card in the Second Round at Huddersfield.
Prediction
QPR enter this match off the back of two consecutive 2-1 defeats to Bournemouth and Bristol City respectively which will certainly be a worry for Warburton, although the fact that they are still scoring goals will provide them with confidence but the first goal here is going to be crucial for them.
Everton meanwhile have probably picked the worst time for a injury crisis as they look to mount a top four challenge in the league, as well as push for a cup run in this competition but they have to be better up front in finishing chances than they were at Villa on Saturday.
As I already said, the first goal here will be crucial because if QPR go in front first then I can see them snatching a win, otherwise Everton could well have enough to scrape through minus their key stars given their superior quality.
Prediction QPR 0-1 Everton
Result: QPR 2-2 Everton (QPR win 8-7 on penalties!!)