Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

I was hoping to provide a much longer preview of this game than I now can. Basically, its a very bad idea to try and start writing about the new season just 2 hours before it begins.

Suffice to say, QPR, going by the bookies and most of the papers, are clear favourites for this one. That's overdoing it for me - Blackpool were tough opponents at Loftus Road last season and there is now the added factor of manager Ian Holloway returning to his former club. He will be doing everything in his power to get a result today, so a lot will depend on how quickly QPR can settle under their own new manager.

The team shouldn't look vastly different from that which we saw last season, with the key changes being who will replace Damien Delaney and Dexter Blackstock. Gary Borrowdale is likely to come in at left-back; up front is a harder call. It would be nice to get a look at new signing Alessandro Pellicori in the hope that he is not another Samuel Di Carmine. Angelo Balanta has had a flying pre-season and surely deserves a place as well and Magilton could go with three up front with Agyemang, Vine and Helguson all available as well.

The only absentees are Mikele Leigertwood and QPR's record signing Alejandro Faurlin, both through injury. QPR now have a decent-sized squad, particularly in midfield and Championship sides can now name seven substitutes, so expect a degree of rotation over the first month as Magilton tests out his players.

Realistically, this game could easily be a draw. QPR had a slow start last season and the fans were close to turning on them on the opening day against Barnsley. They can't afford to do that today and in the spirit of pre-season optimism I'm going to predict a close home win - 2-1 - but don't be surprised if the points are shared.

Prediction - 2-1 win.