Preview: Fleetwood Town vs. Queens Park Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Fleetwood have never progressed into the fourth round of this competition and will be desperate to do so this weekend, whereas Rangers will be hoping to record a victory in order to build some momentum under new manager Neil Critchley.

Match preview

Fleetwood are a club who have been more familiar with the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup throughout their history within regional football, but now they find themselves regularly at the business end of the tournament due to their rise into the Football League.

The Cods have enjoyed eight-consecutive seasons in League One, reaching the third round of the FA cup in four of those campaigns - although a spot in the fourth round has been elusive and unattained so far.

Scott Brown's men come into this clash after their biggest win of the campaign to date, with goals from Admiral Muskwe and Promise Omochere as well as an own-goal from Chey Dunkley securing a 3-0 success away at Shrewsbury Town on New Year's Day.

That win moved Town up into 13th position in the third-tier standings, now a healthy seven points away from Burton Albion in the highest of the relegation places - albeit The Brewers have played a game less than Brown's boys.

Fleetwood's league standing could be significantly better if there were to address their worrying home form, with only two of their six League One wins coming at Highbury Stadium, a statistic that highlights how much of a cup upset it would be if The Fishermen were to conquer the Londoners on Saturday.

Queens Park Rangers have not experienced a flying start under Critchley that many new managers seem to enjoy at the start of their tenures, which is understandable considering the nature of Michael Beale's departure to Scottish giants Rangers last month.

The R's have won just once in four Championship matches under the new stewardship, with a recent 3-0 loss at home to Luton Town prompting supporters to question Critchley's team selection and the ability of the club to progress after losing such a talented coach in Beale.

QPR did respond well following that unacceptable performance and result against the Hatters, with Ilias Chair's deflected strike earning the R's a point against a high-flying Sheffield United on Monday night - although they were denied all three points by a 96th-minute John Egan goal.

Some fans were left frustrated by the way their side conceded in the dying stages, whereas some chose to focus on the positives, such as the fact that Chris Willock and the aforementioned Chair were back on the pitch together for the first time since before the World Cup break.

Rangers' best-ever FA cup result came in 1982 when they reached the final before losing to Tottenham Hotspur, with the club plying their trade in the second tier of English football at the time.

Fleetwood Town FA Cup form:

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W

Fleetwood Town form (all competitions):

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D

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L

L

W

Queens Park Rangers form (all competitions):

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L

W

D

L

D

Team News

Fleetwood announced the signing of 22-year-old goalkeeper David Harrington from Cork City this week, however the stopper will not be available for Saturday as he joins the club carrying a shoulder injury sustained at the end of the Irish season.

Muskwe has been in good form since returning from several months out due to injury but could be rested from the start in this one, with Callum Morton and Carlos Mendes possible replacements for the Luton loanee in the XI.

QPR have a pair of injury issues within their midfield ranks, with Andre Dozzell (illness) and Stefan Johansen (calf) set to miss Saturday's trip to Lancashire.

Defender Leon Balogun will also be unavailable for this weekend's cup clash due to a heel injury, meaning Rob Dickie and Jimmy Dunne are likely to be the central-defensive partnership for the visitors.

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:

Lynch; Rooney, Nsiala, Earl, Andrew; Vela, Sarpong-Wiredu, Warrington; Omochere, Mendes, Morton

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Dieng; Kakay, Dickie, Dunne, Paal; Amos, Field, Adomah, Shadipo, Willock; Dykes

We say: Fleetwood Town 1-3 Queens Park Rangers

Fleetwood Town will be fully motivated to earn a shock result on Saturday and earn a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history, although they face a tough assignment against QPR.

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