Premier League - Chelsea vs Queens Park Rangers

Premier League Matchday 10 sees top of the table versus second bottom of it as Chelsea play host to a local derby between themselves and West London foes Queens Park Rangers. The two have a history of well-fought and competitive games against each other and few fans on either side will, given this history, be hoping for, or expecting, anything less come the weekend.










Case in point - the most recent such meeting between the sides came in the Rs' most recent season in the Premier League, in 2013. The home side huffed and puffed but failed to break through against a QPR side who'd made it a habit of being a bogey team for their West London neighbours since their promotion in 2011, and the real sucker-punch came when on 78 minutes former-Blue Shaun Wright-Phillips struck low and from range out of seemingly nowhere to give his side a late and unlikely lead, and eventual victory.










The sides both achieved favourable results the weekend before in their Matchday 9 fixtures. The Blues attained a well-fought and ultimately well-fitting 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford with goals from veteran strikers Didier Drogba and Robin van Persie making up the numbers, while QPR were triumphant against struggling Aston Villa at Loftus Road in the week's Monday Night kickoff with a 2-0 victory courtesy of a well-taken brace from hitman Charlie Austin.










Chelsea's record against their West London rivals since the latter's promotion in 2011 has been, considering the disparity in quality and overall gap between the two sides, quite poor. Not only have the Blues recorded just 2 wins in 5 games against the R's, they've lost the same amount, with a draw in Fall 2012 completing the quintet. Harry Redknapp's men will know only too well going into the clash that they're eminently capable of causing their hosts problems if history is anything to go by, and there can and should be little doubt that the Englishman will have his men well up for the game, especially after their aforementioned morality-boosting victory 5 days before.










Nevertheless, the Hoops come into this game off the back of some horrendous form so far this term. Harry Redknapp's men obtained, as mentioned, only their 2nd win of the season in the previous matchday against Aston Villa, and have lost all 4 of their away games this campaign, scoring just 1 and conceding a horrendous 12.










As a consequence, the pair head into Saturday's derby at totally opposite ends of the table, but with neither any less eager to kick on and prove a point than the other, with the hosts undoubtedly as anxious to bounce back from their draw the weekend before with another 3 points from another home win, as the visitors will be to build on their own victory in the previous matchday in the hopes of beginning to put together some much-needed momentum as the campaign starts to take real shape.




















Mike Jones, who last officiated for Chelsea in their 1-0 Boxing Day 2013 victory over Swansea City and for QPR in their Premier League promotion playoff first leg 0-0 draw against Wigan Athletic at the end of last season, has been assigned referee for Saturday's game.

Costa is back, clearly we're going to win

On a serious note, it'll be tough, but I think we'll get the win here.


Obvious lineup.
Hopefully Costa can pick up where he left off and score a goal or two.

I imagine we'll rest some players midweek and if we can get a good result early in this game, I can see some rested here too.

It'll be a tough one, no question. We're this lot's cup final and, as mentioned in my preview, they've a history of doing quite well against us even despite their shittiness the whole time they've been in this league.


Gonna need to be at our best for this one.

I think if Fabregas and Matic can have a good game, we'll dominate and sneak a win.

They'll only be all the more confident and motivated too, after actually managing to win a game yesterday. This'll be difficult.


Hopefully Costinho can reverse our fortunes, though, and tear this hopeless lot a new one

I doubt they have the confidence we are currently caring.

They beat Villa, we walked away from OT disappointed after drawing late on. Big difference.

My point is they have a history of frustrating us and taking points from our games regardless the gap in quality between our two sides, and their win on Monday will only make them even more motivated to do it again than they likely already were.

I know, that is why I said it will be tough, but our home form is spectacular and Costa will give us even more confidence.

Bottom line, if we can't beat this dire lot, we deserve to have our 6-point lead cut less than a week after we got it really.

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Ramires and Costinho joining training today

Rio is so poor these days, he doesn't even start for QPHAHA

Yes, the game just got a wee bit harder.

Not really, since I doubt he would have played anyway.

Just go along with it

Remy and Mikel the only absentees for tomorrow, Mourinho says.

José Mourinho can top Sir Alex Ferguson as the greatest manager ever if he stays at Chelsea, says Harry Redknapp:
Harry Redknapp believes Jose Mourinho could surpass Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements at Manchester United and become the greatest manager ever
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2816260/Jose-Mourinho-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-greatest-manager-stays-Chelsea-says-Harry-Redknapp.html

"Absolutely I think he can do what Fergie did at Manchester United. If he wanted to stay at Chelsea for the next 15 years he could do it. He’s only going to be successful there. He’s at the right club with the right chairman."

"He’s proved that he’s a fantastic manager wherever he has been. You don’t go and win Champions Leagues like he has unless you’re a top manager, but to be a top manager it helps if you have top players."

"He has top players and he knows how to get the best out of them and put teams together."

"He’s going to be in the game for many years to come and he could end up as the greatest manager of all time."

"Good luck to Mourinho. His record at Milan, wherever he’s been, Porto, tells you he is a top manager. He’s got a charisma about him and has got a great knowledge of the game."

"He’s been excellent. I couldn’t fault him. His record could be up there with the very, very best in the world. He’s got every chance of winning the Champions League with Chelsea."

Why is Mikel out?

Ramires returns to the squad for the home game against QPR on 1 November having been out with a muscle injury sustained at Man City on 21 September.

Diego Costa missed four games having returned from internatiional duty for Spain but returns to the squad for the home game against QPR on 1 November.

Loic Remy came off in the home game against Maribor on 21 October with a muscular injury. Jose Mourinho estimates he will return after the November international break.

John Mikel Obi misses the home game against QPR on 1 November due to a minor knee injury.

http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/injury-news.html

Best new addition to the website, imo.

Didn't even notice it

I showed you it a while back.

I check it occasionally.