QPR vs Chelsea

REVIEW
And so we`re set to return to Loftus Road in a fixture that could be a highly charged affair and, if allowed to, could see simmering feuds resurface. Hopefully, that will not be the case as Chelsea seek to gain revenge for the Premier League defeat inflicted in the corresponding fixture last season, a fixture where we were forced to play the entire second half with nine men after Bosingwa and Drogba had been dismissed in the first half.

With the suggestion in the air that the pre-match handshake ritual could become something of a farce, we`re sincerely hoping that football is the big winner on the day and that nothing untoward takes place, we can but hope!

Vital Quotes:

One player who knows nothing about the fractious encounter of last season is Eden Hazard. Our expensive acquisition has made a great start to his Chelsea career and has been responsible for most of our goal so far this season.

Speaking to the media about his role in the side, Eden has remarked,

"I love to set up my team-mates."

"I`m not here to be a star, to show off, I`m here to play for the others. But if I have to try and clinch a game then I will."

"At Lille, coach Rudi Garcia made me play on the wing, which I liked because it means you are free. You do what you want offensively even if you have to defend a lot."

"People will see me at Chelsea the way I and judge me the way they want to."

And so far we`ve liked what we`ve seen!

QPR Team News:

Since that dramatic last day of the season, whereby Queens Park Rangers escaped relegation to the Championship by the skin of their teeth, Mark Hughes has taken drastic measures in the transfer market recruiting enough players to field a completely different eleven.

Amongst the new arrivals are the two keepers Green and Julio Cesar, full backs Bosingwa and Fabio Da Silva, the midfielders Diakite and Granero and up front Hoillett. Also, since we last played them, Bobby Zamora ahs joined their ranks. Missing though will be the volatile Joey Barton who has been sent to Marseille, on loan, for the season after his brainstorm in the last fixture of last season, at Manchester City.

Player to watch: Jose Bosingwa

A Champions League winner with Chelsea but allowed to leave on a free this summer. Many Chelsea supporters criticized his defensive capabilities against us but admired his attacking prowess. Let`s hope those same defensive lapses remain and the likes of Mata and Hazard are able to exploit his side of the pitch.

Chelsea Team News:

Since our last game, against Newcastle, we`ve said farewell to Raul Meireles. Entering this game Roberto Di Matteo will be mulling over whether to risk either of John Terry or Ashley Cole, both of whom have ankle knocks.

With a huge Champions League tie, against Juventus, coming up in midweek, Roberto may be tempted to rest both and utilize other members of his squad.

Hopefully none of the others on international duty will have picked up knocks that will rule them out of detention.

We`re forecasting that the starting eleven could resemble:-

Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Bertrand, Mikel, Lampard, Hazard, Ramires, Mata, Torres

Player to watch: Eden Hazard

Can the exciting young Belgian international continue his fine start to the season? Chelsea supporters will be hoping that is the case with Eden continuing to pull the strings and influence matters on the pitch in a big way.

Match Facts & Stats

Last season we ventured to Loftus Road twice. On the first occasion we were beaten 1-0 (in the Premier League) in a fixture that is still having ramifications off of the field. On the second occasion, in the FA Cup, it was ourselves that emerged victorious, let`s hope we can keep that winning run going and extend our good start to the Premier League season.

Ref Watch:

Andre Marriner is the referee tasked with keeping order in a fixture that last time out caused quite a furor. His assistants will be M. Mullarkey and M. McDonough with Neil Swarbrick filling the role of fourth official.

Match Prediction:

Just like all other Chelsea supporters, I`m hoping that we can get revenge for that defeat, to Queens Park Rangers, at Loftus Road last season. However, the fact that it is a local derby means that it is more of a level playing field and that things will be harder than we initially expected. I`m certain the home support will be vociferous but I`m taking Chelsea to grab the match by the horns early on, silence the home support and run out comfortable 3-1 winners

Next Fixtures:

Chelsea faces two home games in the next seven days. In midweek they face Juventus in the group stages of the Champions League before, next weekend entertaining Stoke City in the Premier League.