Both of these sides are under new management and as such there are certain things that you can lean towards from the clubs in question.

One of which is that the players would be ideally like to make a positive impression, so one would expect the work rate and ground covered by the players to be high. This means that time and space on the ball is likely to be limited especially for the more creative players on the pitch.

The other given is that both managers are likely to want to keep things quite tight defensively. It is often said that a manager builds from the back and whilst this is an old trope it is usually one that holds up, at least in the short term.

Assessing Neil Critchley’s QPR in the two matches that he has had in charge it would be fair to say that the Super Hoops have been well organised and structured. The formation has remained roughly the same, 4-3-3, but the way that they have constructed attacks and defended the space on the pitch has changed somewhat. They will probably be less possession-heavy under Critchley but they will definitely be organised and well drilled.

Rob Edwards will have time to implant his philosophy on Luton, but one thing he will have to do is appreciate the type of player that has been left for him to work with. There is technical quality in places, but there is spades of character, hard work and belief in the Luton squad. There is also much experience, especially defensively and they will know the importance of keeping the likes of Ilias Chair and Chris Willock quiet in this fixture.

With these philosophies at play I am leaning towards there being a lack of goals in this game. Both Teams to Score – No is tempting but we will play it a little safer with under 2.5 goals as 1-1 is a definite scoreline in play in this match.

With the outline of the game set as outlined above it isn’t a difficult stretch to envision a lot of tough challenges and competitive play being on display. The central midfield areas could be a spicy battleground with both sides playing three in there, space will certainly be at a premium and every touch under pressure.

Sam Field is QPR’s midfield general and he has worn the captain’s armband in the last three matches as well. Field averages the highest number of tackles in the QPR lineup, but also the most fouls. Tim Iroegbunam has played a little deeper under Critchley and has added his physical presence to the area as well. With Pelly Ruddock, Jordan Clark, and Allan Campbell in opposition, no quarter will be given.

The strikers are a physical bunch too and always have the potential to pick up yellow cards through duels. Possession will be contested often in the forward areas rather than built steadily through the thirds.

All of the above points towards fouls and cards. Gavin Ward is the referee and he averages 3.6 yellow cards per game. With this likely to be an above average example of a physical match there can be some confidence of going over the 2.5 card line.

The above discussion of a midfield battleground brings to mind a few candidates for yellow cards. Sam Field indeed has committed the most fouls from a QPR perspective over the last 10 matches, but there is a Luton player that puts even Field in the shade when it comes to fouls committed, and that is Amari’i Bell.

The Jamaica international has been deployed at both left wing back and left central defender this season and has averaged over 2 fouls a game over the last 10. He ranks third on the above Cheat Sheet in terms of fouls for Luton with 1.67. Bell will be back in contention after a one-match suspension for a second bookable offence red card against Middlesbrough. This may mean that he is a little cautious on his return but he is a huge price considering his record of fouls.

Whoever plays on the right of the QPR attack is bound to be a tricky customer. Albert Adomah was deployed there against Cardiff, but either Chris Willock or Ilias Chair could easily be up against Bell at various times in the match and they certainly aren’t easy to contend with.