Queens Park Rangers vs Brentford
Friday 28 October Loftus Road Sky Bet Championship Kick-off: 7.45pm
The Opponents
Preparing for a second season in the Sky Bet Championship, there was a lot more out than in at Loftus Road this summer as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink looked to shape and streamline his Rangers squad. Only four players, Joel Lynch [Huddersfield Town], Jake Bidwell [Brentford], Jordan Cousins [Charlton Athletic], and Yeni Atito Ngbakoto [Metz] arrived permanently while a host of familiar names were allowed to depart. Among those saying goodbye to W12 were Rob Green [Leeds United], Leroy Fer [Swansea City], Matt Phillips [West Bromwich Albion], Alejandro Faurlin [Getafe], Cole Kpekawa [Barnsley], Brian Murphy [Cardiff City], Daniel Tozser [Debrecen], Armand Traore and Samba Diakite [released] and Junior Hoilett [Cardiff City].
The omens looked good as The Rs won their opening two league games and made progress in the EFL Cup but since then it has been a story of inconsistency. After that bright start, Hasselbaink's side picked up just four points from their next six games, including a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Newcastle United and an EFL Cup exit to Sunderland. Recently their form has picked up however, last Saturday's defeat at Sheffield Wednesday was their first in six matches as they go into tonight's game behind The Bees on goal difference.
The Manager
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink took charge of The Hoops at the beginning of December, following the departure of Chris Ramsey. The Dutchman was brought in from Burton Albion, where he had just won promotion from Sky Bet League Two and had taken the team to the top of Sky Bet League One.
Formerly a quick and powerful forward, Hasselbaink played for the likes of Leeds United, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. Despite earning two Golden Boot awards, he never won a domestic title in England. His only trophy win with Chelsea came in 2000's Community Shield match against Manchester United at the old Wembley Stadium, Hasselbaink opened the scoring in a 2-0 win. In a ten year playing career in England, Jimmy netted 175 goals in 426 matches before retiring in 2008.
The Match Officials
Referee: James Adcock Assistant Referees: Adam Matthews and Michael George Fourth Official: Tim Robinson
Pre-match Views
Dean Smith: "Discipline will be key."
Andreas Bjelland looking forward to 'special' derby atmosphere
Ticket news
Restricted View Gold tickets will be on sale on the turnstiles tonight:
£36 Adult £27 Senior/Young Adult 18-21 £20 Under-18
Matchday sales are from Away turnstile on Ellerslie Road (cash only). Collections are from Ticket Collection kiosk on South Africa Road
Travel News
Directions on how to get to Loftus Road and matchday parking arrangements can be found here.
Match Betting
Principal partners 888sport offer the latest odds on tonight's meeting.
QPR 9/5 Bees 43/25 Draw 11/5
Join Club Sponsors 888sport today and get industry leading odds on a range of sports markets!
Match Coverage
You can hear live match commentary on Bees Player from 7.15pm tonight, with Mark Burridge and Marcus Gayle.
There will be live match updates on Twitter from 6.30pm.