Pompey will try to book their spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup when they visit QPR this evening. You have to go back to the 2010/11 campaign to find the last time that happened, with Steve Cotterill the man in charge. They saw off Stevenage and Crystal Palace – the latter on penalties – that season before suffering a narrow home defeat to Leicester. But the Blues got their revenge on the Foxes just three days later by thrashing them 6-1 in a Championship encounter. Their next opponents are currently sitting 12th in the second tier standings at this early stage, having collected seven points from five matches. Rangers were, unlike their visitors, in action at the weekend, battling from behind to beat Wigan 3-1 on home soil. Mark Warburton’s men required spot-kicks to get this far in the Carabao Cup, seeing off Bristol City following a 3-3 draw. And fans are reminded that there is no extra-time if the sides cannot be separated after 90 minutes tonight, with the tie going straight to a shoot-out. The victors will almost immediately discover who they face next, with the draw taking place live on Sky Sports this evening. TEAM NEWS Lee Brown is set for a spell of six weeks on the sidelines after suffering an Achilles injury in the last match against Coventry. Bryn Morris (groin) and Jack Whatmough (knee) are both out, while Oli Hawkins (foot) and Ryan Williams (quad) are expected to resume training towards the end of the week. QPR could ring the changes, with on-loan Brighton striker Jan Mlakar and second choice keeper Liam Kelly among those hoping for a chance. However, the hosts will be without the injured trio of Luke Amos (hamstring), Geoff Cameron (hamstring) and Lee Wallace (hip). HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 10 wins QPR: 15 wins 13 draws At Loftus Road Pompey: 3 wins QPR: 10 wins 6 draws OFFICIALS Referee: Ross Joyce Assistants: Garry Maskell and Christopher Wade Fourth Official: Anthony Da Costa BETTING QPR are the 8/13 favourites with Sky Bet to reach the third round, while Pompey can be backed at 6/5.
An interesting line-up for Pompey as Christian Burgess lines up at right-back, with Tom Naylor in central defence, and Ross McCrorie in midfield.
Attempt blocked. Ben Close (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 1st minute.
Attempt missed. Matthew Smith (Queens Park Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ryan Manning with a cross following a corner. 8th minute.
Craig MacGillivray is called into action for the first time in the game when Ilias Chair cuts into the area but shoots straight down the keeper's throat. 23rd minute.
Ross McCrorie tried to coax an effort from 30 yards into the far corner but Liam Kelly gets down to make a decent save. 27th minute.
Attempt missed. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by John Marquis with a cross following a set piece situation. 32nd minute.
Attempt blocked. Gareth Evans (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Close with a headed pass. 33 minutes.
Attempt saved. Ilias Chair (Queens Park Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Toni Leistner. 35 minutes.
Half-Time Match Stats:- Home Team: QPR .......Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 58% Away 42% Shots: Home 3 Away 5 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 1 Corners: Home 2 Away 0 Fouls: Home 8 Away 7
