After Lampard’s double secured all three points at Everton, Chelsea now turn their attention to the visit of QPR on 2 January – an evening kick off at 7.45pm. City and United both play on New Year’s day (Stoke at home and Wigan away respectively), so if they both take three points as expected, this will be yet another must-win game if we’re to stay in with a hope of being up there and in with a shout of things come what May.
Chelsea’s title race has been revived under Rafa Benitez and we’re certainly in good form. Benitez continues to impress and fingers crossed, this will be another three points. However, cross-city rivals QPR under Harry Redknapp will no doubt be up for what could be a feisty affair.
If John Terry recovers from his knee injury, the Chelsea captain will no doubt receive a hostile reception from the away fans, as he’ll play against QPR for the first time since the FA charged him for racially abusing defender Anton Ferdinand. Having said that, this game may be too soon for him, but knowing JT, he’ll be chomping at the bit to be fit. Somehow, we don’t think he’ll be ready for this one.
If JT doesn’t make it as expected, we still have a strong pairing in Cahill and Ivanovic, something that has pleased Benitez recently.
“Since I arrived, we have been working with different defenders,” said Benitez. “The team is strong in defence and we have the balance because we can still attack. It is a question of spending hours on the pitch and on the training ground.
“You can see the difference. Cahill and Ivanovic are good players and the understanding between them is much better now. We are adjusting and with good players, this is always easier.”
Goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to join JT on the sidelines after injuring himself in Sunday’s win at Everton. The Czech international was forced off at half-time with an adductor problem so Ross Turnbull will between the pegs at Stamford Bridge.
QPR have no fresh injury doubts for Wednesday’s trip to Stamford Bridge. They didn’t pick up any injuries in the 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool, although Park Ji-sung remains doubtful. Strikers Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora are both sidelined with long-term injuries.
Currently lying at the foot of the table, this could prove to be a difficult game against an in-form Chelsea side on home turf, but in a London derby anything can happen. Chelsea will be looking for a fifth straight league win, which will be our best run since April 2011.
Chelsea (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Turnbull; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole; Ramires, Luiz, Lampard, Hazard; Mata; Torres.
Out: Bertrand (groin), Cech (abductor muscle), Romeu (knee), Terry (knee).
Fitness Test: Mikel (knee).
QPR (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Cesar; Onuoha, Nelsen, Hill, Traoré; Mbia, Diakité; Mackie, Taarabt, Wright-Phillips; Cissé.
Out: Dyer (unspecified), Bosingwa (back), Zamora (hip), Johnson (knee), Ephraim (hamstring).
FitnessTest: Park (knee).
Prediction – I know it’s a London derby, I know Harry will get QPR fired up for it, but I honestly believe it’s difficult to predict anything other than a home win. I don’t want to jinx things, but we’re looking good under Rafa, we’re at home, we can score goals, QPR are rock bottom and not playing well, so I am boldly predicting a Chelsea win. By at least two or three. Let’s hope I’m right.
PS – Sorry Merlin, I didn’t use the standard Match Preview template 🙂
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