Bournemouth will travel to Queens Park Rangers in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday. The two teams meet for just the second time in the FA Cup. The Hoops previously beat the Cherries 2-0 in the second round of the competition back in 1966-67.
Preview (Queens Park Rangers vs. Bournemouth)
After leading Queens Park Rangers to 12 points from his first seven games in charge, Marti Cifuentes had a strong start to his tenure. Since then, though, the Spaniard has lost four of his last five games and is without a victory. Following a creditable draw against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town in their 2023 season finale, the Hoops opened the New Year with a 2-1 loss at home against Cardiff City on Monday. Dimitrios Goutas gave the Bluebirds the early lead just after halftime. Perry Ng gave the team the last laugh in the 74th minute with the game-winning goal.
With three games remaining in the Championship and four points outside of safety, QPR is currently amid a relegation dogfight. However, they have three home games left to play later this month in addition to their FA Cup matchup with Bournemouth on Saturday. QPR has struggled to find success in the FA Cup. Since the competition’s inception in 1925–26, they have lost more third-round matches (50) than any other club. Their most recent setback came against League One team Fleetwood Town in the previous season.
Additionally, QPR has only triumphed once in their previous 12 FA Cup encounters against Premier League teams. They overcame West Bromwich Albion in 2012–13. It does not augur well for their upcoming matchup against a highly successful Bournemouth team. Bournemouth’s fantastic Premier League winning streak of seven games, which included six triumphs, ended on New Year’s Eve when they lost 3-1 on the road at Tottenham Hotspur. Six minutes from time, Alex Scott scored the team’s first goal. It was a consolation goal as the Spurs’ three goals condemned the Cherries to their first loss since November 4.
Team News
The QPR trio of Ilias Chair, Chris Willock, and Steve Cook are all doubtful for this weekend’s visit from Bournemouth due to muscular injuries they sustained during the team’s last loss to Cardiff. Meanwhile, Ryan Kolli sustained an injury that was not immediately apparent after entering the game as a substitute and will not be playing this weekend. Despite taking a knock in the previous game, Sam Field was able to start and play the entire game. He is still a contender to start in center midfield with André Dozzell and Elijah Dixon-Bonner. Asmir Begovic, the former goalkeeper for Bournemouth, will have to make way for Jordan Archer to start in goal. Lyon Dykes is likely to start at center midfield.
For the Cherries, Darren Randolph is still out with an illness, Darren Adams, Lloyd Kelly (thigh), Lewis Cook (groin), Milos Kerkez (ankle), Ryan Fredericks (calf), and Hamed Traore (malaria) are all still out. In addition, Dango Ouattara has been called up to the Burkina Faso squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. Iraola may start Marcos Senesi, a left-footed center-back, or Max Aarons, a right-back, on the left side of a back four because the visitors lack a left-back. Scott, who scored against Spurs the previous game, and Philip Billing, who also started as a substitute, will be vying for a starting spot in center midfield, while David Brooks might start on either flank.
Queens Park Rangers 0-2 Bournemouth
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