If there are two teams that have experienced contrasting fortunes in the Sky Bet Championship so far this season, then it would have to be QPR and Preston North End, with the sides currently sat at opposite ends of the league table.

QPR are currently positioned in fifth place, with two wins from their first three league matches. Victories over Leeds United and Cardiff City were tainted by a loss at Barnsley, which manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink blamed on a “Wild West” referee.

A 4-2 win on penalties against Swindon Town in the EFL Cup first round also added some joy to the early season period for the fans.

Contrastingly, Preston are yet to pick up a point this season.

Three league defeats to Reading, Fulham, and Derby County have seen fans criticising the club's start to the campaign, and a narrow 1-0 win over Hartlepool in the EFL Cup first round has done little to reduce the bad mood around the club.

In this crucial fixture for both teams, FootballLeagueWorld writer Steve Day identifies THREE players that he thinks will stand out and have a crucial influence in the game on Saturday...

Tjaronn Chery

The 28-year-old Dutch midfielder has been a constant goal-scoring threat since he joined QPR from FC Groningen last summer.

He scored 10 goals in 34 league appearances for the Hoops last season, and he has started with intent this campaign, with three goals to his name already.

His role behind the front man in a 4-2-3-1 allows him to play his preferred deeper position, but he is also getting into the spaces to get on the score sheet, which has helped Hasselbaink's side to pick up points this season.

If QPR are to improve on last season and look to make a push for the top six, then they will need Chery to keep this fine scoring form up and, with a team like Preston up next, there is a fantastic chance for him to add more goals to his tally.

Callum Robinson

Robinson was a summer signing from Championship rivals Aston Villa, and the attacker has won fans at Preston already.

The imminent departure of striker Joe Garner to Rangers has led to calls from Lilywhites fans for Robinson to start up top alongside Jermaine Beckford.

The 21-year-old is still a relative unknown across the Football League.

He made four appearances in the Premier League for Villa back in the 2013/14 season, and then spent the 2014/15 season on loan with Preston in League One, where he played a crucial role in their promotion to the Championship.

He was then out on loan again for the 2015/16 season at Bristol City, but his involvement was limited.

It is clear that Robinson feels right at home at Preston.

Having spent time with the club a couple of seasons ago, he is familiar with the manager Simon Grayson, and also familiar with a lot of the squad that has remained relatively unchanged since that campaign.

He has an exciting future with the club, and could be a shining light in what has been a dark start to the season for North End.

Steven Caulker

How things can change so quickly in football these days.

It was only a matter of weeks ago that Caulker was being tipped for a move back to the Premier League, with QPR keen to get him off their wage bill.

The 24-year-old has consistently struggled to perform at top-flight level in the past few seasons at QPR, Southampton, and Liverpool, but there is no doubt he could do a very effective job in defence at Championship level.

Caulker has started this campaign superbly as a leading figure at the back.

The one-time England international scored the opening goal against his former employers Cardiff last Sunday, and he could be an influential character on the pitch for QPR this season.

QPR and Preston fans... give us your thoughts on these three players? Are they the ones to watch this Saturday? Or are there other players to keep an eye on? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!