Queens Park Rangers and Coventry City have both staked early claims to be the Championship's dark horse this season and they go head to head on Saturday afternoon.

The Hoops are still unbeaten and sit fifth in the table, while the Sky Blues are a point better off in fourth place.

Match preview

QPR's unbeaten start looked in doubt last weekend as they trailed Barnsley 2-0 after 27 minutes, but Mark Warburton made all three of his substitutions before the start of the second half and goals from Ilias Chair and Charlie Austin in the final 15 minutes, the latter equalising in stoppage time, earned them a point.

Warburton suggested that his side were perhaps even unlucky not to win the game, as they dominated the second half of proceedings; there is no doubt a feel good factor around the club at the moment as they seek a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2015.

Rangers kept momentum going by beating Oxford United 2-0 in the EFL Cup in midweek, with centre-back Rob Dickie scoring his fourth goal of the season from 20 yards.

Now they will be keen to get their first home win in the Championship this season; both of their victories have come on the road at Hull City and Middlesbrough, with the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium hosting draws against Millwall and Barnsley.

QPR's 3-0 home win over Coventry last season proved to be their joint-biggest win of the entire campaign.

While Rangers' promising early form had been predicted by some pundits, Coventry have surprised many onlookers with the start they have made.

The Sky Blues have three wins from their opening four league matches and have conceded just three goals – only Birmingham City have let in fewer.

Mark Robins's side came from behind to beat Reading 2-1 last weekend, with Matty Godden scoring the winning goal in the 98th-minute.

It was the second time this season they had secured the three points in second half stoppage time, after Kyle McFadzean's 96th-minute winner against Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend.

However, only relegated duo Wycombe Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday picked up fewer points away from home in the Championship than Coventry last season, and the Sky Blues have not won on their last four trips to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Team News

Jordy de Wijs suffered an ankle injury against Barnsley last weekend, making him a doubt for Saturday's game; if he is not fit then Jimmy Dunne will take his place in the centre of defence.

Warburton rested Yoann Barbet, Stefan Johansen and Charlie Austin in the cup in midweek, but they are likely to come back into the side.

The Hoops are hopeful that Lyndon Dykes will be available for selection after suffering from a chest infection.

Coventry centre-back pair Michael Rose and Jake Clarke-Salter were left out against Reading as a precaution; the latter may return to start in west London.

Matty Godden made a dream return from injury by netting the late winner against the Royals as a substitute, but he is likely to start on the bench again as he builds his fitness up.

However, the other substitute to get on the scoresheet last weekend, Jamie Allen, could earn a recall to the starting lineup in place of Martyn Waghorn.

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Dickie, Dunne, Barbet; Odubajo, Ball, Johansen, Adomah; Willock, Chair; Austin

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Moore; Hyam, McFadzean, Clarke-Salter; Dabo, Hamer, Sheaf, Maatsen; Allen, O'Hare; Gyokeres

We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Coventry City

With both teams making strong starts to the campaign, this should be a high-intensity, entertaining game in the capital. If QPR can avoid as poor a start as they had last week, we think the Hoops should come out on top – Coventry are yet to be tested against a truly strong side this season.