Preview: Queens Park Rangers vs. Oxford United - prediction, team news, lineups

The second round of the EFL Cup will commence this week and Queens Park Rangers will welcome Oxford United to Loftus Road on Tuesday as they aim to keep their undefeated start to the season going.

However, the Yellows will be wanting to get straight back to winning ways as well after a defeat against Bolton Wanderers during their last outing.

Match preview

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QPR have had a brilliant start to the season so far, having won two games and drawn another couple in the league which sees them in fifth place at the moment in the Championship.

The Hoops have scored 10 goals in the first five games across all competitions, with central defender Robert Dickie already having three goals to his name, including one in the EFL Cup.

Mark Warburton's team have already improved on what they managed last season in the competition as they had been knocked out in the first round after a loss against Plymouth Argyle.

However, QPR will be looking to push further on this time around and a match against League One opposition might be exactly what they need in order to do that.

Warburton made immediate changes to his team at half time against Barnsley after they trailed 2-0 at the break and the impact was clear, with the QPR boss feeling he saw a more composed performance from his men in the second half.

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When it comes to the EFL Cup so far, both teams required penalty shootouts in the first round of the competition in order to get to this game, with QPR defeating Leyton Orient and Oxford knocking out Burton Albion.

The Yellows head into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat despite the fact that Matt Taylor had given his team an early lead in the 11th minute, with Oxford being unable to hold on to the result.

Despite the recent loss, Karl Robinson's squad have had a solid start to the new campaign, with two victories and a draw so far, having only lost once.

They will be aiming for an immediate response to that defeat, but goals have been a problem for the team, as they have only scored more than one goal once this season, meaning the need to defend could be crucial.

Team News

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Osman Kakay was given the opportunity to start against Barnsley due to Moses Odubajo being suspended and the cup fixture could provide the right wing-back with the chance to play consecutive games.

Experienced striker Charlie Austin started and scored in QPR's last outing after fully recovering from a knee injury which should also see him continue to lead the line for Warburton's outfit.

Sam McCallum has now recovered from an illness and could be in line to make his debut for the club on Tuesday, but QPR will be without Jordy de Wijs who had to be substituted against Barnsley due to an ankle problem.

James Henry is unlikely to feature for Oxford United after suffering a hamstring injury which is something that Robinson is likely to be careful with due to his history with this problem.

Ryan Williams is another unavailable player due to a groin issue, while Billy Bodin has concerns surrounding his knee and Sam Long is also on the shelf with a calf injury.

However, there is good news for the club as Anthony Forde and Elliott Moore were able to return at the weekend and Nathan Holland was able to make a cameo appearance as he begins his journey back to fitness.

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Dickie, McCallum, Barbet; Thomas, Johansen, Dozzell, Kaykay; Chair, Willock, Austin

Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; Forde, McNally, Thorniley, Seddon; Sykes, Rodriguez, Brannagan; Winnall, Whyte, Taylor

We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Oxford United

Queens Park Rangers are operating at a great level so far this season and they will prove to be very difficult to stop by Oxford United in this cup tie.

With an experienced squad that are firing on all cylinders, it is likely that Warburton's squad will find themselves in the hat for the next round.