Brentford and Fulham go head to head in the west London derby on Friday afternoon - but where will the game be won and lost?

There will be battles all over the pitch at Craven Cottage as the Bees look to continue their push for the Championship play-offs and the Whites look to climb the table.

The reverse fixture was an exciting 2-1 win for Mark Warburton’s side back in November under the lights at Griffin Park.

Hugo Rodallega had put Fulham in front only for late fireworks as Harlee Dean levelled and Jota snatched the winner in the dying moments.

We are expecting another thrilling encounter when the pair, who have already been involved in a Twitter spat ahead of the fixture, renew their rivalry in two day’s time.

Ahead of the game, we’ve taken a closer look at three key battles that could well decide who picks up the points at the Cottage.

Old foes: Brentford's Andre Gray is pulled down by Norwich City's Carlos Cuellar and Michael Turner

Michael Turner v Andre Gray

Michael Turner pitched up at Fulham last month on loan from Norwich City and will be taking on the Bees for the third time this season.

A former Brentford player himself, Turner kept a clean sheet with the Canaries in a 3-0 win at Griffin Park last September before the Bees had their revenge at Carrow Road.

So the tall centre-half should know all about Andre Gray as he prepares to lock horns with the Griffin Park hotshot again on Friday.

Having stepped up three divisions when he moved from Luton Town to Brentford in the summer, Gray started slowly in the Championship.

And it did not help his cause that Scott Hogan, the man signed to be Brentford's main goal-getter, forced Gray to shoulder more of a burden up front.

But a purple patch between November and the end of December showed his class and a return of 15 goals from 41 games is a fine effort.

Scott Parker v Jonathan Douglas

One of the few to survive the cull of last season's disastrous relegation from the Premier League for Fulham, Scott Parker, who has 18 caps for his country, has been calming influence in the middle of the park for the Whites this season.

His experience has been crucial, especially in the turbulent times under former boss Felix Magath and the transitional period as Kit Symons took charge.

Jonathan Douglas has been one of Brentford's players of the season, playing an important role sitting just in front of the back four, always putting in a real shift in the engine room to keep the Bees train rolling along.

Despite his ability to act as a defensive shield, Douglas also has a keen eye for goal and has struck seven times this term.

Influential: Ross McCormack celebrates a goal for Fulham

Ross McCormack v James Tarkowski

Ross McCormack arrived at Craven Cottage for a hefty £11million transfer fee in the summer and a reputation as a goal-machine after his exploits for Leeds United last season.

While his tally of 12 Fulham strikes pales in comparison to the 29 he banged in for his old club last term, McCormack remains an influential figure and his creative flair can cause chaos.

Brentford are blessed with quality in the heart of their defence with Harlee Dean, James Tarkowski, Tony Craig and Liam Moore all battling for two spots.

Tarkowski had two months on the bench after he was suspended for picking up five yellow cards earlier in the season but his persistence paid off and has now regained his place.

Such is the pressure on his position, the former Oldham star has had to produce his best football to keep himself in Warburton’s plans.

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