Dean Smith believes that upcoming opponents Derby and Middlesbrough were two of the promotion favourites at the start of the season.

The Bees take on the Rams this evening at Griffin Park before making the long trip up to Teesside on Saturday before the international break.

The west Londoners picked up their first three points of the season at Bolton last weekend and Smith, naturally, is looking to pick up two more victories before the break.

And, rather than going into the games with fear, the Bees boss is relishing the challenge of taking on two of the bigger sides in the division.

He said: “Derby and Middlesbrough are the two favourites, possibly at the start of the season. It's games we look forward to.

“We've performed well all season in the league and thankfully we've got the win today.”

Smith's only injury concern going into tonight's fixture with Derby is whether John Egan is fit to play after going off with dizzyness against the Trotters on Saturday.