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

The visitors will be looking to record a fourth successive victory, although Luton can move three points behind their forthcoming opponents in the table with a win.

Match preview

After surprisingly finishing inside the Championship playoff positions last season, Luton seemed to suffer a minor hangover by only taking nine points from their opening eight matches this season.

However, a run of two wins and three draws in recent weeks has seen them climb into the top 10 in the table ahead of their forthcoming clash against QPR this weekend, with Nathan Jones's side keeping three clean sheets in their last four matches.

The Hatters secured a decent point away to West Bromwich Albion last time out, improving their record away from Kenilworth Road to 11 points from six matches. Clearly, their home form needs to improve if they are to challenge for the playoff places once again, having only beaten Blackburn Rovers in their seven home matches this season.

Jones will be hoping that their second win on familiar territory arrives on Saturday, but he will be fully aware that his side are in for a serious test against an improving outfit in the shape of QPR.

Indeed, like their forthcoming opponents, QPR endured a difficult start to the season, with many questioning the decision to appoint Michael Beale as manager during the summer after Steven Gerrard's former assistant at Rangers and Aston Villa only took five points from his first five matches in charge.

However, 13 points from a possible 15 in recent weeks has seen the R's move up to third in the table, with Beale's side only conceding two goals during that unbeaten run.

Chris Willock has attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs having bagged six goals in nine matches so far this season, while Beale appears to be getting the best out of the mercurial Ilias Chair, who has laid on five assists for his teammates already.

Given both side's defensive stability in recent matches, Saturday's clash could come down to individual flashes of brilliance, with the visitors seemingly more likely to win that particular battle, especially if those two talented attacking midfielders are included within their lineup.

Luton Town Championship form:

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Queens Park Rangers Championship form:

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Team News

Luton are set to be without defenders Gabriel Osho, Reece Burke and James Shea due to injury on Saturday, with Jones unlikely to make any changes from the side which drew against WBA last weekend.

As such, Harry Cornick and Fred Onyedinma may be asked to provide an attacking spark from the bench should they be required in the latter stages of the match.

QPR, meanwhile, are sweating on the fitness of Willock after the former Arsenal midfielder missed last Friday's win against Reading due to a hamstring issue.

However, Lyndon Dykes made his mark by bagging a brace having replaced Willock in the starting XI, with Tyler Roberts and Chair impressing from wider starting roles, so Beale may not see the need to rush one of his key players back at this early stage in the season.

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Horvath; Lockyer, Bradley, Potts; Bree, Campbell, Lansbury, Clark, Bell; Morris, Adebayo

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Dieng; Laird, Balogun, Dunne, Paal; Dozzell, Field, Johansen; Roberts, Dykes, Chair

We say: Luton Town 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

We can envisage a closely-fought encounter between two competitive teams on Saturday, with a share of the spoils probably the most likely outcome.

Both teams have been impressive defensively of late so they could struggle to create chances against each other, especially with Willock's potential absence for the visitors.

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