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The Hoops head into the fixture buoyed by a creditable point – and performance – at Cardiff City on Saturday, but R’s boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be fully aware of the need for another strong display against the high-flying Seagulls.
Chris Hughton’s side beat Fulham 5-0 at home on Friday night to continue their quest for automatic promotion, before watching on as both Middlesbrough and Burnley maintained their tilt for the title with victories on Saturday.
Those results ensured Hughton’s charges ended the weekend where they started it, in third place – two points adrift of second placed Burnley and a further two points behind leaders Middlesbrough.
However, with their two rivals going head-to-head at Turf Moor this evening, Brighton know victory against the R’s could take them one giant leap closer to promotion with just a few weeks of the season remaining.
Hasselbaink confirmed post-match on Saturday that he is again likely to shuffle his pack for the trip to East Sussex, as he continues to experiment ahead of next season.
Goalkeeper Alex Smithies is likely to be back in between the sticks despite Matt Ingram’s positive debut on Saturday, whilst Junior Hoilett is primed to return to the starting XI.
Brighton are still minus the services of former R’s striker Bobby Zamora who is currently sidelined with an ongoing hip problem. Uwe Huenemeier (groin) and Solly March (knee) remain the two long-term absentees for the Seagulls.
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Possible Starting Xl's
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink looks ahead to tonight's game at Brighton ...
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- QPR take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium tonight
- Hasselbaink is looking forward to the test the promotion-chasers will provide
- Alex Smithies to return for Seagulls clash
The Seagulls are in a three-way tussle with Middlesbrough and Burnley for a top-two finish. With only four games remaining, any slip-up now could be crucial. Despite the ramifications of QPR taking any points off Chris Hughton’s side, the Rangers chief says he is not motivated by a desire to affect another team’s hopes.
After Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Cardiff dealt a blow to the Bluebirds’ play-off push, Hasselbaink told www.qpr.co.uk: “I am not trying to dent anyone’s prospects. I just want to improve us.
“That’s what it is all about. If we are taking some casualties along the way, then that is what we have to do. That has to be our mentality.
“We want to become a strong force, keep on getting better and become a stronger unit. That is what we are concentrating on.”
Hughton has done an incredible job on the south-coast, and Hasselbaink knows his team face a very difficult challenge against a side who haven’t lost at their impressive Amex Stadium since New Year’s Day (a 1-0 defeat to Wolves).
“It is a test for us, it is a test for our mental state,” Hasselbaink acknowledged. “Can we do it? In that way, you use their position. But we have to have our way.
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GIVING HIS MESSAGE: Hasselbaink is working on QPR's identity
“I want us to become something that people recognise – something positive, something forceful. I want people to be able to look at us and even if we weren’t wearing QPR shirts, they would know it was us. We are working at that, that identity.
“Identity is very important. We have to have a way. I want everyone to think that when they come to Loftus Road they know they will be in for a very, very hard game.
“And when we go to their grounds, it will be a hard day for the home team. We are going to give them a game and always look to win. That is the identity we want because that is the DNA of a successful club.”
Unbeaten in ten, including seven wins, Brighton appear to be hitting top form at just the right time, and Hasselbaink said: “We need to work to our strengths tonight and look to their weaknesses, can we capitalise on them?
“We played a good game against Cardiff but we didn’t penetrate enough so we are going to try to do that more. We want to put them under pressure.
“They are a very good side and I am sure at times we will be under pressure but this is something we will have to cope with, we will have to deal with those things and make sure we are at our best.”
Hasselbaink likes to keep his cards close to his chest when it comes to team news but he has confirmed Jamie Mackie is out for the season with a torn hamstring, while Jack Robinson won’t be involved tonight but is likely to be in the plans for this weekend’s home game against Reading.
As for who will be between the sticks? “OK, I’ll tell you that one,” said Hasselbaink. “Alex (Smithies) is back.”
MATCH ODDS
Brighton & Hove Albion win: 1/2
Draw: 14/5
QPR win: 5/1
LAST TIME OUT
QPR 2, Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – Championship – Tuesday 15th December 2015
Scorers: QPR – Austin (2); Brighton – Stephens, van La Parra
HEAD TO HEAD
Brighton & Hove Albion wins: 29
Draws: 17
QPR wins: 30
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: K Hill
Assistant Referees: N Lugg & R Smith
Fourth Official: L Swabey
Brighton & Hove Albion win: 1/2
Draw: 14/5
QPR win: 5/1
LAST TIME OUT
QPR 2, Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – Championship – Tuesday 15th December 2015
Scorers: QPR – Austin (2); Brighton – Stephens, van La Parra
HEAD TO HEAD
Brighton & Hove Albion wins: 29
Draws: 17
QPR wins: 30
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: K Hill
Assistant Referees: N Lugg & R Smith
Fourth Official: L Swabey
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FAMILY WELCOME MINUTE'S APPLAUSE
Albion will pay tribute to Dennis Caesar on Tuesday night.
The family of Brighton & Hove Albion fan Dennis Caesar, who sadly died after Friday night's match against Fulham at the Amex, has asked the club to pass on their thanks to Albion fans, players and supporters across the country, for their messages of condolences.
They have also thanked the medical staff, emergency services and club staff who assisted at the scene on Friday evening at Falmer Station.
Dennis, 92, an Albion season-ticket holder, was at the match with his family, and fell ill after the game. The thoughts of all at the club are with his family at this time.
The family made contact with the club earlier today, to say they have been touched by the many, many tributes which have poured in via social media and on the internet - from Albion fans and those of other clubs.
They also thanked Albion fans for the suggestion of a minute's applause during the fifth minute of tomorrow night's match against QPR at the Amex, and feel it would be a fitting tribute to Dennis.
Albion will pay tribute to Dennis Caesar on Tuesday night.
The family of Brighton & Hove Albion fan Dennis Caesar, who sadly died after Friday night's match against Fulham at the Amex, has asked the club to pass on their thanks to Albion fans, players and supporters across the country, for their messages of condolences.
They have also thanked the medical staff, emergency services and club staff who assisted at the scene on Friday evening at Falmer Station.
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Dennis, 92, an Albion season-ticket holder, was at the match with his family, and fell ill after the game. The thoughts of all at the club are with his family at this time.
The family made contact with the club earlier today, to say they have been touched by the many, many tributes which have poured in via social media and on the internet - from Albion fans and those of other clubs.
They also thanked Albion fans for the suggestion of a minute's applause during the fifth minute of tomorrow night's match against QPR at the Amex, and feel it would be a fitting tribute to Dennis.
good luck training chewie 9's. May the force be with you...
