Hull City look to make it consecutive wins to open the EFL Championship season as they host Queens Park Rangers at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.

The Tigers began life back in the second tier with a resounding 4-1 victory at Preston North End which was followed up by a penalty shootout defeat to League One outfit Wigan Athletic in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

A 1-1 draw with Millwall was how the Hoops kicked off their season and they progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday after overcoming League Two side Leyton Orient on penalties.

Team news

The Tigers will be without last season's top scorer Mallik Wilks as he picked up an calf injury in the victory at Preston as will midfielder George Honeyman, out with an ankle issue. Left-back Callum Elder is fit again after recovering from a thigh problem while Ryan Longman, Tommy Mayer, Sean McLoughlin and Randell Williams are all available following recovery from COVID-19.

Luke Amos, Ilias Chair and Sam McCallum all returned to training this week and will be further assessed to see if they will be available. Sam Field underwent knee surgery and remains out while manager Mark Warburton will likely name an unchanged lineup from the draw against Millwall.

Predicted lineups

Hull City: Ingram; Jones, Greaves, Emmanuel; Docherty, Smallwood; Wilks, Moncur, Lewis-Potter; Magennis

Queens Park Rangers: Dieng; Barbet, Wijs, Dickie; Wallace, Johansen, Ball, Odubajo; Willock; Dykes, Austin

Ones to watch

Keane-Lewis Potter

The Hull midfielder was instrumental in the Tigers' runaway victory at Preston with a goal and an assist. His work ethic and speed on the left side of the midfield could prove to be the creative force Hull needs as they are set to be without Wilks for a few weeks.

Rob Dickie

A brilliant performance in the heart of the QPR defense. He leveled after bringing the ball out of defense and sprinting up the field. He also closed down numerous attacks by the Lions in what was a superb all-around performance.

Previous meetings

The visiting side has won the last four matchups with Hull emerging 2-1 winners in December of 2019. Chair gave QPR a 20th-minute lead with a low shot into the bottom corner.

The Tigers equalized in the 32nd minute after Joe Lumley spilled a cross by Josh Bowler that Honeyman was on hand to tap home. Lumley later saved from Bowler to keep the Hoops on level terms.

It looked as though the points would be shared until a free-kick by Jarrod Bowen was met by Jackson Irvine, who was unmarked at the near post and he diverted it in for the winner a minute from time.

How to watch

While there will be no television coverage of the match, fans can follow the action by registering on each club's website. For Hull, it's iFollow Tigers and for QPR, it's QPR+. Kick-off is set for 15:00 BST.

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