Brentford manager Dean Smith admits this weekend’s London derby against Fulham carries extra weight with both clubs fighting for promotion.

The Bees secured a third straight victory in mid-week against Nottingham Forest and now sit just four points outside the top six.

The club will rue their missed opportunities at the beginning of the season, not winning a game in their first eight matches.

With only four points between fifth and tenth place, Smith’s men understand the importance of earning a victory away at Craven Cottage.

Yet this weekend’s fixture produces its own set of challenges, as Fulham are unbeaten their last 20 league games.

Their victory on Tuesday against Reading pushed them into automatic promotion position, one point ahead of Cardiff City.

Both sides have earned plaudits for their style of play this season, but their most recent encounter in December saw Brentford come out on top in a 3-1 victory.

Smith said: “It does make it easier knowing you have to win but, as I've said before, we have to perform. The only thing we can control is our performance.

“If we can control that, individually and collectively, then there’s every chance we can win the game.

“Given the run that Fulham are on it makes it tougher but we still believe that we are a good team as well.

“We have given ourselves a chance by winning these three games and performing well.

“The fact that we will have a very good following there, and that they have broken into the top two, will make it that bit spicier.

“I have heard people say that we are two of the better footballing teams in the league, which is nice to hear, but we want to hear people talking about us as a top six team.

“The only way to do that is to go to Fulham, put in a performance, and hopefully get the result.

“We are just about keeping that Play-Off dream alive by winning football games.”