Big moment here for the away side, completely against the run of play.

Lucas Joao goes down under a challenge and the ref points to the spot.

It will be Andy Carroll to take it...

QPR get a free-kick out wide and it's whipped in by Stephan Johansen. The knockdown bounces off a Reading defender before they get the ball away.

Sam Hutchinson then comes in late on a challenge for the game's first yellow card.

Meanwhile, Ethan Laird appears to have picked up an injury. His night is over as he's replaced by Osman Kakay.

All happening.

More on that QPR penalty shout.

The ball was floated in by Ilias Chair and the knockdown clearly strikes the hand of Sam Hutchinson, you have to believe the referee's vision has been blocked there.

Play continues and reverts to type, Reading need to find a way of getting on the ball.

Steve Brown
Former Charlton Athletic defender on BBC Radio London

Image source, Rex Features

QPR are in control at the moment, they just need a little bit more in the final third.

Reading are struggling to get a foothold.

Ooooooooo, big shouts for handball!

Tim Iroegbunam's header back across the Reading box clearly strikes the hand of Sam Hutchinson.

It goes behind for a corner which comes to nothing. If we had VAR, that decision could be very different, the position of that arm does not look "natural"...

A couple of QPR attacks break down on the edge of the area, all a bit pedestrian so far from the hosts.

Tyler Roberts works the space to have a crack from distance but the effort is blocked. This Reading defence look like they'll be pretty hard to break down.

At the other end they haven't quite been able to make the ball stick with Lucas Joao or Andy Carroll so far, surrendering it straight back to the Hoops.

Mick Gooding
Ex-Reading player-manager on BBC Radio Berkshire

That's a great save by the Reading keeper Joe Lumley. He's had a bit of an up and down season so far. That'll give him some confidence early on.

First effort on goal for the hosts from Tyler Roberts and Joe Lumley gets down to make a smart save.

The ball drops kindly to the winger, who shoots first time at goal but Reading's number one is equal to it.

The home side having a lot of the ball in the early stages, with Ilias Chair dropping in and linking the play.

The fans cry "shooot" at Stefan Johansen on the edge of the area but nothing doing this time.

Suddenly it's QPR who come forward, with Ilias Chair picking the ball up in his own half and driving at the Reading defence.

The Moroccan makes room for the shot but drags his right-foot effort wide of the post.

Image source, Rex Features

Panic mode for the home side there. A long throw into Andy Carroll causes problems for the defence, with Andy Yiadom's shot turning into a game of pinball before it's eventually hooked clear.

Sam Field is dropping back into the backline to help the QPR defence deal with the immense aerial threat this is Andy Carroll.

That could be an interesting match-up to watch as this match develops tonight.

Steve Brown
Former Charlton defender on BBC Radio London

The one thing you do know, as one of the QPR centre-backs, is you're going to get some time on the ball with Andy Carroll in attack for Reading - as he isn't going to close you down so quickly.

QPR pass the ball around the backline as they enjoy the lion's share of the early possession.

Ilias Chair gets on the ball and looks for Tyler Roberts out on the right but his searching pass goes out of play.

Joe Lumley gets an early touch on the ball for the visitors as the ball runs through to the goalkeeper.

Great atmosphere in the stadium tonight.

The home side get us under way.

The teams are out, QPR in their traditional blue and white home kit and Reading in their changed pink away strip.

We're almost ready to go at Loftus Road.

Andy Yiadom and Lucas Joao come in for Junior Hoilett and Tom Ince in Reading's only changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Norwich on Tuesday night:

Reading: Lumley, Hutchinson, Holmes, McIntyre, Yiadom, Hendrick, Loum, Fornah, Guinness-Walker, Carroll, Joao

Substitutes: Ince, Meite, Ejaria, Bouzanis, Hoilett, Mbengue, Abbey

Image source, Rex Features

So, the teams.

The hosts make four changes to the side that beat league leaders Sheffield United on Tuesday, with birthday boy Lyndon Dykes coming in to replace injured star player Chris Willock.

Jake Clarke-Salter, Tim Iroegbunam and Stefan Johansen also come in for Leon Balogun, Luke Amos and Andre Dozzell.

QPR: Dieng, Laird, Dunne, Clarke-Salter, Paal, Iroegbunam, Field, Johansen, Roberts, Dykes, Chair

Substitutes: Kakay, Dickie, Amos, Archer, Dozzell, Shodipo, Adomah