QPR 2024-25 preview: Signings, key player, one to watch, prediction and opening fixtures

Last season’s league position: 18th

Top-scorer: Lyndon Dykes (seven, all competitions)

Most appearances: Asmir Begovic and Kenneth Paal (both 46)

Players in: Zan Celar (FC Lugano, undisclosed), Jonathan Varane (Sporting Gijon, undisclosed), Paul Nardi (Gent, free), Heverrton (Estrela, free), Liam Morrison (Bayern Munich 2, undisclosed)

Players out: Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City, undisclosed), Chris Willock (Cardiff City, free), Andre Dozzell (Portsmouth, free), Jordan Archer (Portsmouth, free), Albert Adomah (Walsall, free), Stephen Duke-McKenna (Harrogate, free) Taylor Richards (Cambridge, loan), Ziyad Larkeche (Dundee, loan)

KEY PLAYER: ILIAS CHAIR

Remains QPR’s most talented player and should have a better platform to show it now Cifuentes has had a pre-season to work with this squad.

ONE TO WATCH: RAYAN KOLLI

Injury restricted the 19-year-old winger to exciting brief cameos last term but he has looked fit and ready to impact the Championship during pre-season.

WRITER’S OPINION: Dan Evans (journalist): Following a strong end to last season, QPR should be confident of avoiding a third successive season of fighting relegation.

Head coach Marti Cifuentes installed a strong defence after arriving last autumn, and that has been bolstered by summer signings.

However, attacking additions are needed to relieve the creative burden on Ilias Chair and support new striker Zan Celar if Rangers want to start dreaming big.

Prediction: Top-10 finish.

OPENING FIXTURES

August 10 – West Brom H (Championship) 12.30pm

August 13 –  Cambridge United A (EFL Cup) 7.45pm

August 17 – Sheffield United A (Championship) 3pm

August 24 – Plymouth H (Championship) 12.30pm

August 30 – Luton A (Championship) 8pm

PICTURE: PA