Our prediction for this EFL Cup match:
QPR
Match Time & Date:
17/09/2024
20:45
Prediction: 1-2
Crystal Palace
Sparkles will be flying when Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace lock horns in the EFL Cup last 32. The Hoops are undefeated in the previous six games in all competitions, which is fuelling fans with optimism ahead of the local derby, but they are still seen as underdogs in this contest. As Sam Field limped off with injury in a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, Paul Smyth is likely to start against Palace.
The Eagles, on the other hand, played out a 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the weekend. Crystal Palace rolled over Norwich City 4-0 in the previous EFL Cup round and seeing that they are eager to make amends for their slow start to the EPL season, away win should be considered. Both Daichi Kamada and Will Hughes are set to return to the starting XI, while Cheick Doucoure is unlikely to be risked.
Highlighted Player (Jean-Philippe Mateta):
A talented French youngster Jean-Philippe Mateta worked his way up through football’s less glamorous landscapes plying his trade at local amateur sides and third-tier outfits before Ligue 1 giants Lyon took notice of his 11 goals in 22 matches and brought him to the big league.
Having failed to make it into the first team in a debut season with Les Gones, Mateta was shipped out to Le Havre, leading the club to promotion play-offs. Bundesliga side Mainz took notice of his ability and came calling in the summer of 2018 after he bagged 17 goals in 35 league matches. An imposing physical presence at his 192cm, Mateta is a mobile forward and a decent dribbler who can finish with both of his feet.
Having worked his way up from the very bottom, Jean-Philippe Mateta is a committed individual determined to make a name for himself. His impressive goalscoring record got rewarded in the form of France U19 call-up in 2017.
Highlighted Team (QPR):
Queens Park Rangers are well known as QPR. The capital club was founded in 1886 and Loftus Road Stadium is QPR’s ground. Loftus Road Stadium was opened in 1904 and the capacity of the venue 18,439. However, it has to be noted that no less than 35,353 spectators watched the game between QPR and Leeds on 27 April, 1974.
The Hoops finished the 1975/1976 First Division campaign in second position in the standings, just behind champions Liverpool. This is considered the club’s biggest success, but Queens Park Rangers made it to the FA Cup final in 1982 as well.
QPR were beaten by fellow capital club Tottenham Hotspur in the title game, but they did well to lift the League Cup trophy in 1967. Queens Park’s main rivals are Brentford, Chelsea and Fulham, but other clubs based in London are considered QPR’s rivals as well. The colour of QPR’s shirts is blue and white.
Brighton
Southampton
Barcelona
Las Palmas 
Newcastle 
Borussia Dortmund 
Bayern Munich 
West Ham
Arsenal
Chelsea 
Aston Villa 
