MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 09:53:42| >> :120:6355:6355:
[monks data]
Brentford logo
Championship
Oct 30, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
QPR logo

1-0

Djuricin (56')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Brentford vs. Queens Park Rangers

Sports Mole looks ahead to a Friday night's Championship West London derby between Brentford and Queens Park Rangers.

West London plays host to a Championship derby this Friday night as Queens Park Rangers make the short four-mile trip to Brentford.

The hosts are in fine form under interim boss Lee Carsley and can leapfrog their opposition with another win.


Brentford

Lee Carsley, manager of Brentford looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford at Molineux on October 21, 2015© Getty Images

Carsley continues to insist that he does not want the Bees job past the end of the season because he would prefer to work with the academy, but he might warm to the head coach's job more if his side keeps winning.

It is now three in a row for the Bees - the longest winning run in the league - and they are up into the top half, seven points off the playoffs, after a rocky start to the campaign.

After scoring two goals in the back-to-back wins over Rotherham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month, Carsley's men went one better in another London affair on Saturday, putting three unanswered goals past Charlton Athletic.

The Addicks were all over Brentford in the early stages at The Valley, but once John Swift headed home the opener against the run of play, the home side, who were on a nine-match winless run and had manager Guy Luzon sacked afterwards, lost their confidence and threatened rarely.

Alan Judge sent over the cross for Swift and he then added the second with a pinpoint curling finish before laying on the third for Lasse Vibe. The midfielder, a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international who is yet to make his senior debut for his country, has directly contributed to 10 of Brentford's goals this season and is reportedly attracting interest from Premier League clubs.

Chelsea loanee Swift has also impressed of late and after netting his first Bees goal at the weekend he has extended his loan until the New Year.

Recent form: LLLWWW


QPR

Matt Phillips of Queens Park Rangers celebrates his sides first goal (C) during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Queens Park Rangers at St Andrews on October 17, 2015© Getty Images

Chris Ramsey's Rangers come into the match having kept two straight clean sheets in home matches against Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons.

After being held by the Owls, QPR earned their first win in three by scoring three times in the final 20 minutes to see off the Dons.

The R's have now netted 11 goals in the final half-hour of Championship matches this season, more than anyone else in the division.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who is leading the line with Charlie Austin injured at the moment, was the man to break the deadlock last weekend and he has scored five goals in six starts this season.

Twelve of Rangers' 19 points have come at home this season and they are without a win in three away matches, losing the last two at Fulham and Birmingham City.

As well as scoring late goals, QPR have won a league-high seven points, the same as Nottingham Forest and Friday's opponents Brentford, from losing positions this season.

Recent form: DLWLDW


Team News

Charlie Austin of QPR scores his sides fourth goal from the penalty spot during the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Rotherham United at Loftus Road on August 22, 2015© Getty Images

Austin scored seven goals in QPR's first nine league matches, but has been absent for the last four with a hamstring problem.

Ramsey said today that the striker could play a part on Friday, but is likely to start on the bench as a substitute, with Emmanuel-Thomas continuing to lead the line.

Carsley, meanwhile, named an unchanged XI at Charlton and should go with the same lineup once more here given their strong recent form.

Vibe scored after being introduced at The Valley and is the most likely to come in for Marco Djuricin if Carsley does want to have a tinker up front.

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Button; Yennaris, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell; McCormack, Diagouraga, Woods; Swift, Judge; Djuricin

QPR possible starting lineup:
Green; Onuoha, Hill, Hall, Konchesky; Toszer, Henry, Luongo; Phillips, Chery; Emmanuel-Thomas


Head To Head

This is the first meeting since the 2003-04 season, when both clubs were in League One.

Brentford are winless in their last seven league games against QPR, losing three (D4).

QPR's last league victory at Griffin Park came back in April 2003, when a 90th-minute strike from Marc Bircham secured a 2-1 win.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Brentford 2-2 QPR

QPR should provide red-hot Brentford with a stern test. Goals are likely at Griffin Park with both sides coming into the match after 3-0 wins and we see the spoils being shared.



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Ron Vlaar of Aston Villa look dejected as Charlie Austin of QPR (9) celebrates as he scores their third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers at Villa Park on April 7, 2015
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