Team News
Brentford v Fulham
Championship Match Day 20 1718 at Griffin Park
Saturday 2nd December 2017 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Robert Madley (West Yorkshire)
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Fulham will be checking on the fitness of both Tim Ream and Kevin McDonald ahead of the trip to Brentford, with both still a doubt after missing the Millwall win.
Both players failed fitness tests ahead of the win last weekend and Slavisa Jokanovic will be checking on their condition as they face the Bees in the west London derby at Griffin Park on Saturday.
The Fulham boss will hope that both players are fit for the tie, with Floyd Ayite and Lucas Piazon definitely missing out as they continue their recovery from injury.
Apart from that, it's a clean bill of health for the side as they make the short trip to Griffin Park,
Fulham have already won two London derbies this season, away at QPR and at home to Millwall, while Brentford beat the Lions at Griffin Park last month and drew 2-2 at QPR on Monday after conceding twice in second-half injury time.
None of the last 14 matches between the sides in all competitions at Griffin Park have ended as draws - both sides have seven wins apiece in those games.
The Whites have won one of their last six league matches against Brentford (D2 L3), with that victory coming at Griffin Park last season.
Fulham's 5-4 win over Sheffield United in their last away Championship match was their highest-scoring league match for 24 years, since losing 6-4 at Exeter City in November 1993.
Ryan Sessegnon's hat-trick against Sheffield United was the first by a player aged 17 in the Championship since February 2011, when Connor Wickham scored one against Doncaster for Ipswich.
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Neal Maupay and Henrik Dalsgaard will certainly miss Brentford's west London derby with Fulham, while Florian Jozefzoon is likely to be absent.
The Bees striker is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card in the 2-2 draw at QPR, while the Danish full back is still absent with a heel injury.
Jozefzoon, meanwhile, picked up a hamstring strain early in the contest and, as of Thursday morning, has not trained with the squad meaning he is highly unlikely to feature.
“Flo felt his hamstring and we had to bring him off (at QPR),” Smith said.“He's a doubt for Saturday.”
Florian Jozefzoon has Ben Turner for company (Image: Getty Images Europe)
He added: “He hasn't trained yet. He's having a scan this afternoon so we'll see later.”
Dalsgaard's heel injury is preventing him from taking part and it appears to be a longer term issue as things stand.
Smith added: “He won't be ready. It's a low burner, a bit like the Lasse Vibe one. It's dragging on a bit”
Maupay picked up a yellow card for a late foul in the win at QPR and, as such, will sit this game out.
Smith confirmed: “Neal Maupay won't be involved as he picked up his fifth booking. I spoke to him before him going on not to get booked.
“He picked up his fifth and the 19th game was the one where it goes up to 10. It happens and you deal with it. But Lasse Vibe looks on fire again and he's scored a lot of goals under my tenure.”
The Frenchman's suspension could provide a chance for Justin Shaibu to impress during the contest, even though he's been a forgotten man in recent weeks.
Smith explained: “Justin has done all right when he's been on the bench. He's still a member of the first team squad but he hasn't had the opportunity. He's fine.”
Alan Judge is moving closer to a return but the game will come to early for him as Smith wants him to feature for the B team first.
The head coach revealed: “He's very close. We've done some 11 v 11 today and Alan is involved in that but Lewis can get on the pitch now.
“Until Alan plays minutes in terms of a B team game or behind closed doors (then he won't be considered for selection).”
Rico Henry (knee) is a long term absentee.
Brentford have lost one of their last 21 home league matches in December (W13 D7), a 4-2 defeat to Ipswich on Boxing Day in 2014.
Brentford (18) have lost more points from winning positions in the Championship this season than any other team.
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Source Tom Moore and Ryan O'Donovan at getwestlondon/BBC