QPR’S third match of 2020 will take them to a sold-out Griffin Park to face Brentford in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off).
If Rangers’ first two matches of the new year are anything to go by, then R’s fans may be confident of recording a first win in TW8 since 2003.
Mark Warburton’s QPR squad hit Cardiff for six on New Year’s Day and followed that up with a five-star performance against Swansea City in the Emirates FA Cup.
That’s left them in confident mood ahead of the weekend’s local derby, which is also set to be Rangers’ final trip to Griffin Park before Brentford move into their new stadium in the summer.
The Bees have had a good first half of the season and currently sit in third place in the Championship table. Three points for the R’s on Saturday would move them to within five points of Brentford.
Head to head
QPR wins: 23
Draws: 24
Brentford wins: 28
Team news
QPR: Yoann Barbet (hamstring), Charlie Owens (knee), Toni Leistner (doubt).
Brentford: Sergi Canos (knee), Nikos Karelis (knee).
Pre-match words
QPR manager Mark Warburton: “I’m expecting a very good footballing test. Brentford have been great at home and they have a very strong defensive record. They’ve conceded very few goals; they move the ball really well; they have good individual talents and collectively they are very strong. We know that we face another tough challenge but we have scored 11 goals in two games and we go into it full of confidence.”
Brentford manager Thomas Frank: “First and foremost, I'm looking forward to seeing Mark Warburton and his staff. We need to respect and understand the big impact he had here at Brentford. All of us are standing on the shoulders of others and he is the top foundation. He was part of creating that identity we have now.”
Historic meeting
Brentford 1-2 QPR - 19th April 2003
QPR visited Brentford in April 2003, in what was only the fourth meeting between the two clubs in 37 years and Ian Holloway’s side ran out 2-1 winners to all-but secure their place in the Division Two play-off places.
Dominant defender Danny Shittu gave the R’s an early lead, when he headed home Gino Padula’s corner.
Despite the R’s pushing for a second, Mark Peters drew the Bees level with 10 minutes remaining when he drove home a neat knockdown from Steve Evans to make it all square.
However, the drama was still to unfold, when blue-and-white haired midfielder Marc Bircham emphatically volleyed home a corner kick in front of the adoring Rangers faithful in the dying minutes of the game.
This gave Ian Holloway’s side all three points and ensured the Super Hoops climbed another hurdle as they edged towards the play-offs.
QPR Starting XI: Day, Kelly, Carlisle, Shittu, Padula, Langley, Palmer, Bircham, McLeod, Furlong, Gallen. Subs: Culkin, Rose, Pacquette, Thomson, Williams.
Streaming details
QPR fans in the EFL's 'Dark Market' countries will be able to watch Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash away at Brentford live on QPR+.
Although the game has been selected by Sky Sports, 'Dark Market' countries sit outside of the EFL's global TV deal, meaning that QPR+ can stream ALL of the club's Championship matches there.
To purchase a match pass, please CLICK HERE.
Live audio commentary will be available for QPR+ subscribers to tune into worldwide.
Man in the middle
John Brooks will take charge of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Brentford.
This will be Brooks’ second Rangers fixture of the campaign, with his first coming in the R’s 2-1 win at Hillsborough back in late August.
He will be assisted by Akil Howson and Sam Lewis, whilst John Busby will take up fourth official duties.
