You must log in or register to see images
QPR host Brentford live on Sky Sports on Monday evening in the Sky Bet Championship.
Boss Ian Holloway will be looking to end a run of three straight defeats for QPR as local rivals Brentford arrive in W12.
The R’s will also want to end a run of three straight defeats against their opponents in all competitions with Dean Smith’s side aiming for their first back-to-back League wins at Loftus Road since October 1959.
After a slow start to the campaign, Brentford have found a good run of form since the end of September, losing just one of 10 matches.
That has seen the Griffin Park outfit move out of the relegation zone and leapfrog Holloway’s side. Just two points separate the two sides in the table.
Rangers will have injury problems to deal with ahead of Brentford’s visit - especially in defence - with no fewer than five options currently sidelined.
You must log in or register to see images
QPR 1-4 Brentford - Tuesday, 22nd August 2017
It was a night to forget for QPR as they exited the Carabao Cup at the second hurdle courtesy of a comprehensive defeat against Brentford. An own goal from Ariel Borysiuk set the Bees on their way before John Egan and Neal Maupay saw Brentford go 3-0 up. Darnell Furlong pulled a goal back just before half-time before Josh Clarke rounded off victory seven minutes from time.
You must log in or register to see media
- QPR have lost their last three matches against the Bees in all competitions, losing both Championship matches last season and a League Cup tie earlier this campaign.
- Brentford have not won back-to-back away league matches at QPR since October 1959.
- Only Brentford (16) have lost more points from winning positions in the Championship this season than QPR (13).
Ian Holloway: “We lost to them in the Cup with a lot of changes. I learnt a lot from that game. We need a win and what an opportunity this is for us against one of our neighbours. Brentford have been patient building their identity. They’ve got good footballers who move the ball well. We’re creating our identity still. But I’m still encouraged by what I’ve seen from us for long spells this season.”
Dean Smith: “I expect that QPR will come and press us – I certainly don’t expect them to sit back and allow us to have the possession that we did on Tuesday night. The aim is to go there and get three points. Our players are certainly aware of what this game means to the supporters. I watched QPR’s game against Aston Villa the other week; they’re very good from set-pieces and they’ve got a lot of physical players. They can hit teams hard and they’ve shown that already with positive results against Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They’ve shown that they can beat the best so we’ll have to be at our best.”
You must log in or register to see images
Team News
QPR: Centre-back Joel Lynch (foot) and right-back Darnell Furlong (sore knee) sidelined.
Nedum Onuoha (hamstring), Grant Hall and James Perch (knee) are all out.
You must log in or register to see images
Brentford: Defender Henrik Dalsgaard (heel) is a doubt, while midfielder Josh McEachran, winger Sergi Canos and forward Lasse Vibe could be recalled.
You must log in or register to see images
They say form goes out of the window in derbies so with that in mind we look at the key individual battles that could decide where the bragging rights go.
Romaine Sawyers v Josh Scowen
It will more than likely be the job of Josh Scowen to stop Brentford’s elegant midfielder Romaine Sawyers at Loftus Road on Monday.
After a difficult first season with the club following his move from Walsall, Sawyers has shown his undoubted quality this campaign with some fine displays in the centre of the park. The 26-year-old has great vision and rarely loses the ball in crucial areas making him a difficult opponent for anyone in this division.
But if there’s one player that won’t be fazed by a player with that kind of reputation then its Josh Scowen. His pressing and winning of the ball make him an important player in any derby as he helps set the tone of the match. If Scowen can keep Sawyers quiet and get the ball to some of Rangers’ more creative players then that could be pivotal in terms of who comes out on top.
Nico Yennaris v Massimo Luongo
Another crucial midfield battle is likely to come in the form of Nico Yennaris and Massimo Luongo – two players who have hardly missed a minute for their teams this season.
Yennaris is an extremely busy player who is capable of making a difference in both boxes of the pitch. Someone who can drive the team forward with strong runs from midfield as well as crisp passing and enough defensive nous to read game situations.
Luongo, arguably Rangers outstanding player in 2017, is fully recovered from illness and will undoubtedly regain his place in midfield such is his influence on Holloway’s side. Many teams have so far struggled to restrict the authority that Luongo has on games at Loftus Road and will no doubt be viewed as someone the visitors need to keep a close eye on.
Ollie Watkins v Alex Baptiste
The final key battle is between two players who may not have expected to feature as much as they have this season but who have excelled when given a chance.
Watkins, a signing from Exeter and former teammate of David Wheeler, has acclimatised quickly to life in the Championship with some exciting displays down the left wing. The Brentford number 11 has also supported the lone striker well in the 4-2-3-1 system that Brentford have used this season, chipping in with six goals and likes to play in the lines between midfield and defence.
The positions he takes up on the pitch means he will quite often come up against Alex Baptiste. The R’s defender has been playing as a right centre back most of the season and has done extremely well even against quick opponents like Watkins due to his experience and reading of the game.
This should therefore be an intriguing facet of the game as keeping Watkins quiet can mean Rangers can concentrate more on attacking down the right wing – an area of the field where many goals have been created this season.
You must log in or register to see images
Referee
Steve Martin: Shown two red cards in 17 matches this season. Monday is his second QPR fixture of the season having overseen the 1-1 draw at Sunderland in October.
You must log in or register to see images
