West Brom host Queens Park Rangers at the Hawthorns in the Championship this weekend. Darren Moore’s Baggies are beginning to find their feet in this division whilst Steve McClaren and Rangers are still hunting their first points of this campaign.

West Brom look to continue recovery

West Brom have been on somewhat of an upward curve since their surprise opening day defeat to Bolton Wanderers. Being beaten at the Hawthorns on in the first game of the new campaign gave Darren Moore a harsh welcome to the Championship. But his side has since recovered from day one disappointment with a draw at Nottingham Forest. Followed up by their first three points at Carrow Road, beating Norwich 3-2.

Albion have played an extra game compared to Saturday’s opponents QPR, but Moore took the opportunity to rest most of his first-team squad in their midweek Carabao Cup tie. Beating lower league side Luton Town at the Hawthorns by a solitary goal continued Albion’s upturn in form as Moore’s side continue to bed in.

Steve McClaren working his magic

Queens Park Rangers started this season with back to back defeats giving early indications that they could be set for a long hard season. The west London club could be relegation candidates unless Steve McClaren can work some magic with the limited resources available.

McClaren took over at QPR this summer and has only been able to add a couple of free transfer signings to his squad. Rangers cannot pay fees for new players until next summer due to a transfer embargo, thanks to a breach of Financial Fair Play regulations dating back to the 2011/12 season.

Food for thought

West Brom’s Oliver Burke is hoping that he has given boss Darren Moore food for thought ahead of Saturday’s team selection. The 21-year-old netted the winner against Luton in Albion’s midweek Carabao Cup tie in just his third start for the Baggies.

Burke has admitted that, after a frustrating first season at the Hawthorns, he still needs more games before he reaches his full potential. In a cup game in which Moore fielded an experimental line-up, Burke bagged the winner. The Scotland international looked dangerous using his pace to run off the shoulder of the last defender.

Predicted Line-ups

West Brom: Johnstone, Dawson, Hegazi, Bartley, Gibbs, Phillips, Brunt, Livermore, Barnes, Rodriguez, Gayle.

QPR: Lumley, Kakay, Baptiste, Leistner, Bidwell, Scowen, Cousins, Wszolek, Freeman, Osayi-Samuel, Washington.

Prediction

There is no sign, so far, that QPR’s season will be anything but a struggle. They’ve started their season with back to back defeats to Preston and Sheffield United, although they will be hoping to take some confidence from their midweek win at home to Peterborough in the Carabao Cup. They will need it too as West Brom seem to have found their feet as they look for a third win on the bounce. West Brom 3-1 QPR.

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