Local derbies always bring with them an added edge, no matter the level of football.

For Brentford B head coach Sam Saunders, the meeting with Queens Park Rangers at Gtech Community Stadium on Tuesday 14 October (7pm kick-off BST) represents more than just another fixture in the calendar, it is a chance for his young squad to embrace the passion, intensity, and history that comes with playing in a west London derby.

"This is a local derby and with local bragging rights there is always an edge to the game," Saunders explained.

"The boys know the history between the two clubs. We played them in the Premier League Cup Final last season and you could feel the passion from both sets of supporters.

"As a player or as a coach, you use that occasion as fuel. The start of these games is always high tempo, on and off the ball, and you might have to adapt but the key is to enjoy it. You don’t get many opportunities to play in these kinds of derbies, so you have to embrace it without overwhelming yourself."

Saunders himself knows exactly what these occasions mean, having faced QPR during his own time as a Brentford player.

Now in charge of guiding the B team, he is looking for his squad to express themselves in the same front-footed style he once embodied on the pitch.

"I was an attacking-minded player, and I want my teams to play the same way," he said.

"I want us to attack, to be unpredictable, to play with energy and pace, and to work hard on the front foot.

"That’s the message I give to the boys. We’ve come a long way already this season, with players stepping up, new additions bedding in, and others developing with another year in the B team.

"There’s a massive opportunity here, and I want us to make the most of it."

This derby carries added significance as it’s the first time Brentford and QPR have faced each other at the Gtech with supporters in the stadium since the club moved from Griffin Park.

Saunders is urging Bees fans to take advantage of the occasion and get behind his side.

"The privilege of playing at the Gtech is one we never take for granted," he continued.

"Having fans there makes such a difference, and we want them to come down in numbers to support the boys.

"This game sets the tone for the season ahead, it’s a brilliant occasion, and hopefully the fans can really help drive us on."

It was only a few months ago that Saunders was in the dugout as assistant head coach when Brentford B last faced QPR, in the 2024/25 PL Cup final at Loftus Road.

The young Bees fell to a 3-1 defeat that day, but the experience of competing in such a high-profile match remains invaluable for the group.

Meeting QPR again so soon, and at such a venue, adds another layer of intesity to the contest.

There are also clear pathways for the players involved to see where a performance in these fixtures can take them, with Saunders pointing to Benjamin Arthur as a prime example.

The defender featured in all three B team meetings with QPR last season, including scoring in the final, and has since progressed to the first team.

Arthur made his senior debut last month, playing the full 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa and helping the Bees to a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory after a 1-1 draw.

"Benjamin's story shows what can happen," Saunders said.

"He played in these games last season, he performed well, and now he’s stepped up to the first team.

"It’s exactly the kind of inspiration the boys should take into this derby. These matches matter, they shape you, and they can be a springboard to even bigger opportunities.”

That pathway is also evident in the loan system, with the likes of Ethan Brierley and Tony Yogane making strides in senior football at Exeter City and Dundee respectively.

For Saunders, though, it all begins with high-tempo, high-pressure matches where his players can showcase their talent in front of supporters.

"Academy football is about development, but occasions like this feel bigger," he added.

"It’s about honing their craft, playing with freedom, and showing the full potential they have.

"The standards the boys have set in recent games have been excellent. Now it’s about building on that, using the emotion of the derby in the right way, and delivering a performance that everyone connected with Brentford can be proud of."

Tickets for the game are still available and can be found here.