The latest instalment of the West London derby takes place at Craven Cottage on Saturday lunchtime.
On paper, Fulham v QPR may not look like the game of the weekend. It is 12th versus 14th in the Championship, a mid-table clash between two sides who look to have too much about them to get involved in a relegation scrap but not enough quality to challenge for promotion.
However, there are several reasons why West London is where your attention should be in the second tier this weekend. Local derbies are always worth watching, and though this lacks the intensity of other rivalries around the country there is no doubt that it means a lot to the supporters of both clubs. Craven Cottage is not known for its hostile atmosphere, but it will be rocking if Fulham claim all three points this weekend.
So what is it about this mid-table match up that makes it the one to watch?
Both sides are in desperate need of a win
Fulham and QPR made promising starts to the 2016-17 season, but both are now on five game winless runs. This has led to play-off talk being rapidly replaced by relegation fears, with the Cottagers still yet to mount a promotion challenge since being relegated from the Premier League in 2014.
Because this game is the early kick-off, the hosts will go level on points with the play-off places ahead of the 3pm games, and of the two clubs Fulham look the better bet for a top six finish. Such is the tight nature of the Championship, however, that a defeat will see the Cottagers leapfrogged by their neighbours and they could end the weekend in the bottom half.
Intrigue in the dugout
Life may have been relatively dull on the pitch for QPR fans in recent months, but it is certainly never boring off the field at Loftus Road. With manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink the subject of an internal club investigation due to his implication in this week’s Daily Telegraph stings, the former Chelsea striker now finds himself in an uncertain position.
There was pressure on the Dutchman even before the allegations broke, with Rs fans unhappy about the defensive approach that Hasselbaink has been taking with his side. With Hasselbaink still focused on the job at hand, he will take his place in the visiting dugout at Craven Cottage this weekend and will look forward to concentrating on on-pitch matters for 90 minutes. If he can inspire his side to a derby win, it will be a good end to a testing week for the inexperienced boss.
A proper midfield battle
Scott Parker and Karl Henry are two seasoned warriors in engine rooms across England. With Parker still leading by example for the hosts and Henry a near ever-present in the visiting line-up, sparks could fly in the centre of the field this weekend.
The pair have five yellow cards between them so far this season, but this game may be about which of the two can keep their heads in what is set to be an old-school clash. Both will undoubtedly be looking to stamp their authority on the game, and whoever wins this particular battle could go a long way to deciding the outcome in favour of their side.
Fulham have the recent bragging rights
QPR have not beaten Fulham at Craven Cottage since 1980, and the Hoops have been on the receiving end of some thumpings in recent memory. Last season saw the Whites complete a comprehensive double over their near neighbours; Fulham triumphed 4-0 at Craven Cottage and were then 3-0 up at half-time in the rematch at Loftus Road before eventually winning 3-1.
On this weekend five years ago, when this match was a Premier League fixture, Fulham trounced QPR 6-0 at Craven Cottage. An Andy Johnson hat-trick followed by further goals from Danny Murphy, Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora sealed a famous victory. Plenty in the away end this weekend will still have painful memories of that day, and will be desperate to turn their recent local fortunes around.
This is by no means the only tasty fixture in the second tier this weekend. Hillsborough hosts a re-run of last season’s play-off semi-final as Sheffield Wednesday entertain Brighton, while Leeds welcome Barnsley in what is sure to be a hotly-contested Yorkshire derby at Elland Road. Rotherham have sold out their New York Stadium for the visit of high-flying Newcastle, and table-topping Huddersfield look to continue their fine start at Ipswich.
For sheer intrigue and the fact that bragging rights are at stake, however, Fulham v QPR is the one to watch.
Prediction: Fulham 2-0 QPR
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