Fulham v QPR: five key battles

Fulham and QPR lock horns in a west London derby this weekend. Will it be another thrashing for Rangers at Craven Cottage? Here are five potential battles we think could be all-important on Saturday.

Tom Cairney v Joel Lynch

Rangers will be forced into a change at left-back, where Joel Lynch, who is primarily a central defender and has been short of match fitness, is expected to replace the injured Jake Bidwell. He could face a tough task in keeping Cairney quiet. On his day the Fulham man is a big influence on the team.

Ragnar Sigurðsson v Sebastian Polter

An ankle problem meant Polter was not fit enough to start in midweek at Burton, where he came on and equalised for the R’s in their 1-1 draw. He has been declared fit to lead the line in Saturday’s game and will have a crucial role to play, both as target man and ‘first defender’.

Ryan Tunnicliffe v Tjaronn Chery

Tunnicliffe played at Nottingham Forest in midweek and if given the nod again will need to keep a close eye on Chery, who is a pivotal player for Rangers in the number 10 role.

Matt Smith or Chris Martin v Steven Caulker

Caulker has been inconsistent this season, having started the campaign very well. Rangers have looked vulnerable at the back and whoever leads Fulham’s attack will be out to take advantage of any jitters.

Slavisa Jokanovic v Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Even before the recent controversy surrounding Hasselbaink, the Rangers manager was in desperate need of a win to ease the pressure on him. Jokanovic, whose Fulham team have been in freefall and were thrashed 4-0 by Bristol City in their last home game, is in a similar situation. Neither man can afford another defeat – and Hasselbaink certainly can’t afford to preside over the kind of debacle his predecessors have at the Cottage in recent years.