London Football News

Is this how QPR will line up against Brentford?

Even without a full squad to choose from, Ian Holloway has plenty of options as he considers his team selection for Saturday’s west London derby against Brentford.

Rangers have not beaten their neighbours since Holloway returned for a second spell in charge and he is keen to change that this weekend.

Here’s how Rangers might line up against the Bees, who need a win to keep their hopes of a play-off place alive.

Matt Ingram
Ingram was given his first Championship outing of the season against Preston on Saturday and is set to stay in the side, largely because Alex Smithies’ wife has been due to give birth.

Darnell Furlong
Furlong is in a good run of form at right-back and must now be one of the first names on the teamsheet. He did very well in Rangers’ last west London derby, holding his own up against Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon.

Alex Baptiste
With skipper Nedum Onuoha still suspended and Joel Lynch ruled out for the remaining matches of the season, no-nonsense defender Baptiste gets a chance to continue at the heart of the R’s defence.

Jack Robinson
Fit again after a recent injury, Robinson has been excellent for Rangers this season is no doubt on the radar of other clubs as the end of his contract approaches.

Jake Bidwell
The former Brentford man is sure to get a hostile reception on his return to Griffin Park. He’s been in decent form for Rangers since the switch to a back four meant he reverted to his natural left-back position.

Josh Scowen
Rested along with Luke Freeman for the Preston game so they would be fresh for the derby, Scowen is therefore in line for a return.

Massimo Luongo
Luongo has been excellent this season and has made himself even more indispensable by recently adding goals to his game.

Ryan Manning
With Scowen and Freeman back in contention and Jordan Cousins another option, Manning isn’t short of competition. But his combative style and ability to pop up with the odd goal might lead to Holloway giving him the nod.

Luke Freeman
Manning being included might mean Freeman is deployed in a more advanced role, supporting target man Matt Smith.

Paul Smyth
Will Smyth be preferred to Ebere Eze or will both exciting youngsters start? It’s a call Holloway must make – but with the Rangers manager keen to get in Brentford’s faces, the relentless Smyth is perhaps the more obvious choice for this one.

Matt Smith
Smith’s close-range finish against Preston was his 10th goal of the season – a season in which he has become an increasingly pivotal player for the R’s. who have sometimes struggled without him.




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