LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Queens Park Rangers and Derby are both unchanged for today’s Sky Bet Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Follow Radio Coverage: Sky Bet Championship play-off final: QPR v Derby | Live Football Scores
QPR manager Harry Redknapp has decided to stick the same starting team that edged Wigan 2-1 in overtime in their play-off semi-final in the second leg earlier this month.
This means that the former Tottenham manager will go with Charlie Austin, who scored both goals in the last outing and Kevin Doyle in his attack as he looks to return the English Premier League next season.
Derby manager Steve McClaren also opted to keep faith with the same starting lineup that beat Brighton 4-1 in their second leg of the play-off semi-final, with Will Hughes, Chris Martin and Jamie Ward all starting.
QPR are looking for a quick return Premier League Derby after being relegated during the 2012-13 season, while Derby are seeking to play in the top flight for the first time in six-years.
“I’m looking forward to it – we all are. We’re a bit like the swan on the river – cool and calm on the surface but underneath paddling like hell,” Derby manager Steve McClaren was quoted as saying.
QPR manager Harry Redknapp said: “I think Derby are the favourites. They have been on a great run and Steve has done a fantastic job with them.
“They are a young side, full of energy. It’s got all the ingredients of being a good match-up.”
QPR v Derby
QPR: Green, Simpson, Onuoha, Dunne, Hill, Doyle, Barton, O’Neil, Hoilett, Austin, Kranjcar. Subs: Traore, Morrison, Yun, Hughes, Henry, Zamora, Murphy.
Derby: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Hendrick, Thorne, Hughes, Russell, Martin, Ward. Subs: Bryson, Eustace, Sammon, Legzdins, Whitbread, Dawkins, Bamford.
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)
