MX23RW : Tuesday, March 11 01:24:03| >> :120:10470:10470:

Preview: Chelsea vs. Queens Park Rangers

Preview: Chelsea vs. QPR
© PA Photos
Sports Mole looks ahead to Chelsea's London derby with Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge.

These London rivals both need the three points on Wednesday evening at Stamford Bridge for very different reasons.

Hosting Chelsea still have hopes of challenging for the Premier League title - despite being 11 points behind leaders Manchester United - while visiting QPR are rooted to the bottom and are eight points from safety.

Rafael Benitez's appointment as Chelsea manager in November was met by resistance by a large number of the club's supporters, but under his guidance the team have lost just twice in 11 outings.

In contrast, QPR have lost their last three matches and are yet to win away from Loftus Road. What's more, the R's have failed to win at Stamford Bridge since April 1983.

Harry Redknapp has been tipped to make a number of changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Liverpool last time out, with Fabio and Esteban Granero expected to come into the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Frank Lampard may drop to the bench, despite the fact that he scored both goals during Chelsea's 2-1 win over Everton on Sunday afternoon.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech will also not feature because of an ankle injury.

Recent form

Chelsea: DLWWWW

QPR: DDWLLL

Possible starting lineups:

Chelsea: Turnbull; Cole, Cahill, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Ramires, Oscar; Mata, Moses; Torres

QPR: Cesar; Onuoha, Nelsen, Mbia, Fabio; Diakite, Granero, Taarabt, Faurlin, Wright-Phillips; Mackie

Sports Mole says: 3-1


ID:61822: cacheID:61822:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3604:
Written by
Liam Apicella

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Steven Pienaar and Frank Lampard battle for the ball on December 30, 2012
Read Next:
Match Analysis: Everton 1-2 Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!