With both teams looking to find consistency, Dean Smith believes his side will need to keep their cool to get the win.
Brentford manager Dean Smith
Brentford boss Dean Smith has told the Bees Player that the team that holds their discipline will come out on top when his side head to Loftus Road to face Queens Park Rangers.
Brentford have not won a game since September but still manage to sit two places above their local rivals who are currently 13th in the league.
QPR will host the Bees having won their most recent home game 1-0 against tough opponents Bristol City, but this remains their only victory at home in their last five games.
Derby County Manager Steve McClaren (L) and Brentford manager Dean Smith
But Smith has prepped his team for the derby atmosphere and is hoping they will keep their cool come game-time.
Speaking to Bees Player ahead of the match, he said: “We always talk to the players about discipline and thinking smart when they are out on the football pitch.
“It is certainly more relevant when there is a local derby and there is an atmosphere from both sets of supporters who want to get the upper hand on the others.
“The discipline will be key and I think the team who keep their discipline best on the night, not only in terms of tackles but also with shape and style of play, will get the upper hand.”
Derby County’s Ikechi Anya has a shot saved by Brentford’s Alan McCormack
Despite having the league’s third best scorer in Scott Hogan, Brentford struggle to put goals on the board when visiting their opponents and have only scored six in eight away games this season.
But QPR don’t fair much better and have conceded 16 goals at Loftus Road so far, with a large number coming in the six-goal defeat against Newcastle last month.
And as a mid-table clash in which either side could come out victorious, both will be looking to improve on recent form and climb up into play-off contention.
Dean Smith added: “You can’t take away from the competitiveness that will be there. Both sides will be going out there and looking to win.
“Both teams know that if you get the win you are just outside the play-offs and you are moving forward.”
Victory for either side in the televised match will leave them one point outside the top six ahead of Saturday’s fixtures and Smith feels his team are ready to turn their recent form around.
Fulham’s Denis Odoi in action with QPR’s Conor Washington
“How we have played this season the top six is where we think we should be,” he added.
“We have been close in every game this season with the exception of the game against Newcastle and the first half of Sheffield Wednesday.
“We have scored a couple of fives and fours this season. We have been very good and that is what we need to bring into the game on Friday.
“If you win one you can go on and win two or three on the spin. That is what we have to do to get that consistency.
“We want to be a consistent team that gets results every week.”
The match kicks off at 7.45pm and will be live on Sky Sports.
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