QPR and Millwall meet on Saturday in the first round of the Carabao Cup. It is an all-London derby with plenty of recent history between the two clubs, and both sides will want to start their cup campaign with a win.
Kick-off: Saturday 8 August 2026
Venue: Loftus Road Stadium, London
Competition: Carabao Cup, First Round
How we see this Match
This is more than just a first-round cup tie. QPR and Millwall are London rivals, and games between the two always carry an extra edge, whatever the competition. Millwall have the recent bragging rights. They did the double over QPR in the Championship last season, winning 2-1 at Loftus Road in October and then 2-0 at The Den in April. QPR will be keen to put that right in front of their own fans.
QPR's team news and season so far
QPR finished 15th in the Championship last season, a mid-table finish that will have left fans wanting more this year. This cup tie gives them an early chance to build some momentum before the league season gets underway.
Expect QPR to name a strong side. Cup form has been mixed in recent years, and with Millwall as opponents, manager motivation to win this one will be high on both sides.
Millwall's team news and season so far
Millwall, managed by Alex Neil, narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs last season. That will sting, and it means there is real pressure on this squad to push higher up the table this year.
Millwall's Carabao Cup history is worth noting. They have not gone beyond the third round of this competition since 1995. Last season, they were knocked out on penalties by Crystal Palace at that same third-round stage. A trip to Loftus Road in round one is another chance to try to break that pattern.
Head-to-head record
Millwall arrive full of confidence after beating QPR twice last season. Across their full history, QPR actually hold the stronger overall record, but recent form clearly favours the visitors. That mix of long-term history and recent momentum makes this a genuinely hard one to call.
Tactical preview
Both sides are likely to set up in their usual Championship shape rather than experiment heavily, given the derby nature of the match. Expect a tight, physical game with little space in midfield, and set pieces could well be decisive given how close these two sides have been in recent meetings.
Don't expect a huge number of changes from either manager. Derby games like this tend to bring out full commitment, even in the cup's early rounds.
Prediction
Millwall's recent record against QPR is hard to ignore, but home advantage and a point to prove should help QPR raise their game. This looks close enough to go either way, with penalties a real possibility if scores are level after 90 minutes.
Prediction: QPR 1-1 Millwall (Millwall win on penalties) Confidence: Low-medium
Responsible gambling note
Cup derbies like this one are notoriously hard to predict, with form and rivalry often cancelling each other out. If you do bet, set a limit before kick-off and stick to it. Support is available through BeGambleAware (UK) if you ever feel gambling is becoming a problem.
FAQs
When is QPR vs Millwall played? The match kicks off at 1:00pm on Saturday 8 August 2026 at Loftus Road Stadium.
What happens if the match is a draw? Carabao Cup first round matches go straight to a penalty shootout if the score is level after 90 minutes. There is no extra time.
Who won the last meeting between QPR and Millwall? Millwall won the most recent meeting 2-0 at The Den in April, completing a league double over QPR last season.
How far has Millwall gone in this competition recently? Millwall have not passed the third round of the Carabao Cup since 1995, and lost on penalties to Crystal Palace at that stage last season.