Expect Portsmouth to set up in a shape that prioritises energy and directness. Mousinho’s sides are built on physicality and second balls, and with Fratton Park bouncing, they’ll look to squeeze QPR high up the pitch. The absence of a confirmed formation means we can’t pin numbers on it, but the style is clear: get it wide, get it into the box, and let the crowd carry them. Abu Kamara will be the spark, cutting inside from the flank and forcing QPR’s full-backs into uncomfortable decisions. With six players out, the bench might be thin, but the starting XI should still have enough quality to dominate the midfield dogfight.

QPR will try to play out from the back, using Glen Kamara to dictate tempo and Lamptey to bomb forward on the overlap. They have pace and technical ability, but their recent away form is a red flag. They lost four on the bounce to end last season, and that kind of fragility can resurface when the away end is hostile. The key battle will be in the middle of the park: if Portsmouth can disrupt QPR’s rhythm early, the visitors will resort to long balls and hopeful crosses. That plays straight into Pompey’s hands. Set pieces could be decisive — both teams have height, but Fratton Park’s tight pitch makes every corner feel like a penalty.