QPR welcome West Ham United to W12 on Monday night looking for their first Premier League win of the campaign.
Both sides suffered midweek Capital One Cup defeats and will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt, in what should be a cracking London derby in front of the live Sky Sports cameras.
Despite their cup exit, the newly-promoted Hammers – who will be wearing black armbands in remembrance of former player John Bond – have made a solid start to their first season back in the big time and will no doubt make the short trip across the capital in confident mood.
Adel Taarabt could return from a hamstring complaint for the visit of Sam Allardyce’s men and Ale Faurlin (dead leg) should be fit, but Rangers will be without four first-team defenders on Monday evening.
Former Hammer Anton Ferdinand, Jose Bosingwa and Fabio da Silva are all out with hamstring injuries, while Armand Traore (leg) is also unavailable. Striker Andy Johnson is out with a long-term knee injury.
For West Ham, midfielders Gary O’Neil and Yossi Benayoun could feature.
O’Neil has recovered from a knee injury and Benayoun could make his first start since moving back to the Boleyn Ground on loan.
Allardyce is likely to make wholesale changes from the starting XI that were beaten 4-1 by Wigan Athletic in the League Cup, though Modibo Maiga could keep his place after scoring on his second consecutive start.
On-loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll (hamstring) is unlikely to play and Jack Collison (knee) is unavailable.
Remember, Monday night’s ‘Hoops’ – your official matchday programme – will break new ground by going 3D.
The first-ever perfect-bound 3D matchday programme, next week’s publication will be available in and around the ground for the usual price of JUST £3!
If you can’t make it to Loftus Road on Monday night,
CLICK HERE to get your hands on a copy of this must-have programme!
The Numbers Game
*1895 - The year West Ham United were formed
*22 - The squad number worn by former Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen
*6 - The number of permanent signings made by the Hammers this summer
*£4,700,000 - The fee West Ham paid Sochaux for striker Mobido Maiga in mid-July
*108 - The number of England caps the late, great Bobby Moore won for England
*£18million - The record transfer fee received for Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United in November 2000
Match Odds with Bet Victor
QPR win: 23/20
Draw: 12/5
West Ham United win: 17/10
Pre-Match Talk
QPR defender, Ryan Nelsen: “It’s another London derby and we’re all really looking forward to it.
“Both the management and players are giving everything – we just need that first league win to get that monkey off our backs.
“Monday night can’t come quick enough.”
West Ham assistant manager, Neil McDonald: "Losing their last game at home to Reading will have hurt and they (QPR) will come out against us all guns blazing.
"We need to be ready for the first 15-20 minutes. I went to watch their two previous games and they started both very well.
"We need to ensure we are solid and organised then push our game onto them as the game develops."
Last Meeting
Coca-Cola Championship: West Ham United 2, QPR 1 – November 6th 2004
Scorers: West Ham – Harewood (2); QPR – McLeod
Match Officials
Referee - M Clattenburg
Assistant - G Beswick
Assistant - D England
4th Official - N Swarbrick
Matchday Coverage
Whether you’re coming to Loftus Road or not, QPR fans across the globe can enjoy a whole of host of exclusive content both before and after Monday night’s clash with West Ham – all thanks to a 14-day FREE trial on QPR Player.
Coverage will include our Matchday Radio Show, live commentary, extended highlights, the manager’s post-match press conference and much, much more.
CLICK HERE for more information on our FREE 14-day trial.
Next QPR fixture
Saturday 6th October 2012 - West Bromwich Albion v QPR (3pm)