QPR v Reading preview
Friday 4 August 2017 14:11, UK
QPR boss Ian Holloway will hand a competitive debut to Josh Scowen for the season opener against last season's play-off finalists Reading.
The former Barnsley midfielder joined the Hoops on a free transfer over the summer and could line up alongside Ariel Borysiuk after the Poland international returned from a six-month loan spell with Lechia Gdansk.
Centre-back Grant Hall (tendonitis) is missing for the league opener while the match also comes too soon for midfielder Jordan Cousins, with a thigh injury ruling him out. Defenders Jake Bidwell and Joel Lynch have overcome bouts of illness and are available, but Steven Caulker - who has not played since October 2016 - is unlikely to feature despite returning to pre-season action last month.
Reading defender Paul McShane completes his three-match suspension following his sending off in last season's play-off semi-final first leg. Striker Yann Kermorgant, the club's top scorer during the 2016/17 campaign, underwent hip and groin surgery last month and is out for the start of the new season.
Midfielder Garath McCleary (groin) is also expected to miss out, but Stephen Quinn is in contention after missing much of last term through injury. The Royals have some other knocks and potential absentees which were not disclosed by boss Jaap Stam.
Opta stats
QPR have lost four of their last six opening day matches, winning twice in the process, both at Loftus Road (v Leeds in 2016/17 and v Sheffield Wednesday in 2013/14).
Both teams have scored in six of Reading's last seven matches on opening weekend.
Ian Holloway has never lost a season opener as QPR manager, winning three and drawing two.
Reading have won just one of their last 12 opening day matches on the road (D6 L5), a 2-0 win at Blackpool in 2001.
QPR have lost just one of their last 10 league encounters against Reading, winning four and drawing five.
Only Norwich (13.0%) boasted a better shot conversion rate last season than the Royals in the Championship (12.4%).
Prutton's prediction
Will Reading have a hangover from the disappointment of their play-off defeat? Jaap Stam has stuck around and committed to the cause, which will lift them tremendously and they should have another crack at promotion this year.
QPR finished poorly last season and Ian Holloway will want to get off to a good start. It will be interesting to see where they're at after pre-season. They nicked an excellent win on the counter at Reading last season, but it will be a different game at Loftus Road and I'm going for an away win.
David Prutton predicts: 0-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
