U21S PREVIEW: QUEENS PARK RANGERS V BURNLEY

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Young Clarets end year in London

2025-12-18T09:00:00.000Z

U21S PREVIEW: QUEENS PARK RANGERS V BURNLEY

Young Clarets end year in London

2025-12-18T09:00:00.000Z

Young Clarets end year in London

Following Monday night’s Stockport County postponement, Burnley U21s continue their Premier League Cup campaign with a lengthy trip to Queens Park Rangers on Friday.

The young Clarets will be keen to end 2025 on a high, and a win here would guarantee their progression to the knockout stages.

It was QPR that Andy Farrell’s team lost 2-0 to in the semi-finals of the Premier League Cup last season, so Burnley will be keen to aim for a slice of revenge here.

This visit to London was due to be the team’s last Group F match, but a waterlogged pitch in Stalybridge meant Monday night’s game against Stockport County was unable to take place.

As such, by the time this 7pm kick-off comes around it will have been exactly three weeks since Burnley’s last competitive fixture.

That was a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City in the same competition, in which Joe Bevan continued his strong form with the opening goal that night in Leyland.

After the visitors equalised, Jaydon Banel marked his first ever U21s appearance with a fine finish and Vernon Masara ensured all three points would be staying in Lancashire after the break.

Burnley are now 2nd in the four-team table, behind Friday night’s opponents by a point. The Rs have played a game more, though, and the top two will progress to the last 16.

U21S PREVIEW: QUEENS PARK RANGERS V BURNLEY - Image 1

Queens Park Rangers operate a category two academy, with their U21s playing in the Professional Development League.

The Rs are currently 11th in that 20-team table having taken 18 points from their 14 matches.

Rangers have suffered defeat the last two times they’ve played in the Premier League Cup, though, with Cardiff City recording a 3-1 victory last week.

They’ve also had a change in management recently, with ex professional Paul Furlong leaving his role after 14 years.

With that being said, it was the Londoners who came out on top when they travelled to the County Ground in Leyland for the reverse fixture a month ago.

Benji Wetshi’s first goal of the season got Burnley off to the perfect start that night, but it was cancelled out by strikes from Ridwan Hasssan, Jaylan Pearman, and Archie O’Brien.

Hanwell Town’s Oliver Connell and Son Community Stadium (UB6 8TL) is the venue for Friday night’s match, and supporters are welcome to attend in person.

Adults are £5, concessions are £3 and children are £1, with tickets purchasable on the gate.

Alternatively, you can follow live updates on X @ClaretsAcademy and Instagram @Burnleyfcacademyofficial. A match report will be available on www.burnleyfootballclub.com after the final whistle too.

*QPR photo credit - John Shirras