QPR v Fulham: five key battles

QPR and Fulham face each other in a derby at Loftus Road this weekend. Here are five potential battles we think could be all-important in Saturday’s match.

Grant Hall v Ross McCormack
The increasingly impressive Hall, who has looked so composed at the heart of the Rangers defence this season, will face one of his toughest tests against McCormack, who scored twice against QPR in the 4-0 demolition at Craven Cottage in September. Hall watched from the bench that night as McCormack easily got the better of Gabriele Angella. This one could be a closer contest.

Matt Phillips v Luke Garbutt
Phillips faced James Husband in the reverse fixture but will come up against Whites left-back Garbutt on Saturday. The stats don’t make good reading for the on-loan Everton man – Fulham have not won any of the 12 games that he has started.

Alejandro Faurlin v Rohan Ince
Fulham snapped up Ince – a former Chelsea youngster – on loan from Brighton on deadline day and, at 6′ 3″, he brings a physical, yet mobile, presence that was sorely lacking. The contest between him and Faurlin may decide which side wins the midfield battle – assuming Faurlin overcomes a thigh problem.

Conor Washington v Dan Burn
Burn has started the last nine Fulham league games and will need to be alert against Rangers’ recent signing Washington, who will look to drag him out of position at every opportunity and comes alive in the box.

Paul Konchesky v Tom Cairney or Alex Kacanikilic
Slaviša Jokanovic’s tactical approach will determine who former Fulham man Konchesky faces. If the Whites boss plays 4-4-2, Cairney is likely to test the QPR left-back by cutting in from the right flank, but if Moussa Dembele is left out and and Fulham look to flood the midfield, as was the case at Huddersfield, Kacaniklic will probably play as a more orthodox winger.