LEYTON ORIENT face QPR in an east v west London derby at Brisbane Road in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Both sides started their league seasons with 1-1 draws at the weekend – Orient gained a creditable point at English League Two title favourites Salford City.
While former Rangers boss Mark Warburton – who was handed a new deal by the Loftus Road side last week – saw his charges held to a 1-1 draw by another London side, Millwall.
As always in this competition, it's all about who is taking the competition seriously and who have no choice but to pick their strongest XI anyway because of a lack of squad depth.
QPR enjoyed a good end to the season last term and are in the top half of teams on bookies' list to win the title, while Kenny Jackett's men are expected to reach the play-off spots in League Two if the odds are a fair reflection.
So it should be a decent derby with both teams appearing to be on the up.
How the bookies view it
QPR are favourites and are generally odds-on although Uninet has them at evens. The O's are 14/5 with bet365 and the draw is 11/4 with Betway.
Recent head to heads
The London clubs haven't been in the same league for 40 years, but they have met in the cups. Orient have actually won both of the two meetings since then and here is their 2007 League Cup 2-1 win at Loftus Road below.
Players to watch
Orient's Paul Smyth could be an interesting party tonight. The striker joined from QPR in the summer after being shipped out on loan on four different occasions from Rangers. He might have a point to prove and is 3/1 to score anytime with Paddy Power.
QPR have what should be a decent strikeforce of Charlie Austin, the former England star and current Scotland international Lyndon Dykes. Preference is for Dykes, who ended last season well and is 19/10 with Paddy Power to net anytime.
Anything else catch the eye?
QPR should have enough to win this if they don't rotate this too much. They built up momentum at the end of last season where they won six of their last nine remaining games and there was a sense that the season was ending too soon.
Orient brought in eight players this summer and new boss Jackett will still be trying to get to know his new team. Like QPR, they will likely prioritise the league too.
The hosts' veteran midfielder Darren Pratley could be value to be booked at 2/1 with bet365. He was cautioned on his Orient debut at the weekend and was no strangers to a card at Charlton Atheltic.
This EFL Cup match between Leyton Orient and Queen's Park Rangers will be played on Aug 11, 2021 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Leyton Orient vs Queen's Park Rangers prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
