Match Preview | QPR vs. Cardiff City
Cardiff City travel to Queen’s Park Rangers’ Loftus Road on Wednesday evening (19/10), 7.45pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Rangers’ manager is Englishman Michael Beale, who was appointed in June this year, following the departure of previous manager, Mark Warburton.
Beale has previously held roles as manager of Liverpool’s U16 and U23 sides, also having a spell in 2017 at São Paulo as assistant to legendary goal-scoring goalkeeper Rogério Ceni.
It was during his time at Liverpool that Beale worked with Steven Gerrard, who managed the club’s U18 side. The two went on to work alongside each other at both Rangers and Aston Villa.
This summer, Beale took his first managerial role of a first-team and has impressed so far, with the R’s currently fourth in the table.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | LAST THREE
Beale’s side will be looking to bounce back in midweek, as their five-game unbeaten run was brought to an end by Luton Town.
Goals from Elijah Adebayo and Luke Freeman, along with Jimmy Dunne’s own-goal gave the Hatters all three points, despite the R’s pulling a goal back through an Ethan Horvath own-goal.
Prior to their weekend defeat, Rangers were in fine form, picking up a hugely impressive win at Sheffield United, along with beating Reading at Loftus Road.
Beale’s men are just one of three sides to claim victory over Sheffield United this season, along with Stoke City and Watford.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
Playmaker Ilias Chair has been hugely impressive since his arrival at Loftus Road from Belgian club Lierse in 2017.
The midfielder has amassed 140 league appearances for the club, scoring 25 goals, including winning Championship Goal of the Month in October 2021 with a brilliant strike against Blackburn Rovers.
Chair has also gained experience at international level, earning 10 caps for Morocco, netting his first goal for his country in a 5-0 win over Guinea-Bissau.
CITY FLASHBACK | ACADEMY DUO NET IN LOFTUS ROAD WIN
The Bluebirds’ trip to Loftus Road last season saw City produce a fantastic second-half comeback, with two Academy products on the scoresheet.
Having fallen behind due to Andre Gray’s goal, Isaak Davies found the equaliser, cutting inside from the left and beating former City goalkeeper David Marshall.
Just four minutes later, the Bluebirds found themselves in front in some style, as Rubin Colwill stepped up to take a free-kick from the edge of the box.
The Wales international fired brilliantly into the top corner to turn the game on its head and hand City a memorable away win.
