The final first-round fixture in the EFL Cup takes place on Wednesday evening as Queens Park Rangers play host to Norwich City at Loftus Road.
Whoever prevails from the all-Championship encounter will travel to Bristol City in the second round later this month.
Match preview
© Reuters
While the remainder of the EFL were coping with three fixtures in the space of the opening week or so of the season, QPR and Norwich had their feet up recovering from their first games in the second tier.
From QPR's perspective, they would have perhaps preferred to have been back in action as soon as possible after losing 4-0 at the hands of Watford.
Gareth Ainsworth's side succumbed tamely at Vicarage Road, and their former midfielder would have recognised that pressure could quickly grow as he continues to try to win over the club's supporters.
However, his Hoops squad delivered for him on Saturday, with the West Londoners holding on to secure a 2-1 victory at Cardiff City.
Goals either side of half time from Sinclair Armstrong and Kenneth Paal proved decisive as the mood was lifted ahead of their first game of the season at their home ground.
Meanwhile, David Wagner is facing a different level of expectation at Carrow Road with Norwich having endured a desperately disappointing first year back in the Championship.
Nevertheless, the German can be delighted with his side's start, even if his side did concede a 96th-minute equaliser to draw 4-4 at Southampton.
Although Norwich led on three separate occasions at St Mary's, they also trailed after 21 minutes, and a share of the spoils against a title rival can be regarded as a positive at this stage of the campaign.
Despite looking threatening in the final third, Norwich have now conceded five times in two games, like their hosts on Wednesday, and this feels like a fixture that cannot end goalless.
- L
- W
- W
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Given the in-experience in his squad, QPR boss Ainsworth may not make sweeping changes, yet he will also see this as an opportunity to hand chances to his fringe players.
Joe Gubbins and Ziyad Larkeche could each feature in central defence and at left-back, while Taylor Richards will also expect to feature in the engine room.
Goalkeeper Jordan Archer and winger Albert Adomah are in line to play, too, but the remainder of the side from the win in South Wales could stay the same.
Wagner will likely tinker more with his Norwich XI with Marcelino Nunez, Christian Fassnacht and Adam Idah all expected to start for the visitors.
Tim Krul, Andrew Omobamidele, Sam McCullum and Liam Gibbs should also slot in the team, while youngsters Kellen Fisher and Tony Springett may feature down the right.
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Archer; Kakay, Gubbins, Fox, Larkeche; Richards, Field; Smyth, Dykes, Adomah; Armstrong
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Krul; Fisher, Omobamidele, Gibson, McCallum; Gibbs, Nunez, Hernandez; Springett, Idah, Fassnacht
We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Norwich City
Both teams will likely make changes for this contest, making it difficult to make a prediction with any real confidence. Nevertheless, the Canaries have been the more improved side this season thus far and may edge this fixture, despite their hosts being on a high from the weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
