Chelsea vs QPR: Match Preview and Team News

Diego Costa is fit again and will return to the starting line-up when Chelsea host local rivals Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

The Spanish frontman has missed the last four matches with a leg injury but has recovered in time for the West London clash.

That means that Didier Drogba most likely will drop to the bench again after playing two matches in the space of 48 hours in the last week.

Chelsea team news

Cesar Azpilicueta is still suspended after his three-match ban but Branislav Ivanovic is back from his one-match suspension.

Loic Remy will not play his former teammates as he is still injured, while John Mikel Obi got an injury against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night and misses out.

On the plus side, Ramires is back from injury and will make the loss of Mikel less evident, though neither would be expected to start against the newly promoted side.

The derby will potentially mark the return to the Premier League starting line-up also for Andre Schurrle, who featured from the off against Shrewsbury in the League Cup.

A few changes from the side that beat Shrewsbury is to be expected, with Thibaut Courtois finding his place between the sticks again.

John Terry will come in to replace Kurt Zouma, while the midfield five most likely will be Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard, Oscar and Schurrle.

A local rivalry is nothing new to Jose Mourinho but the gaffer has never played QPR as a Chelsea manager.

The Portuguese is however expecting a fight for the points at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Everyone knows London is a special place because of derbies. There are always about eight or 10 derbies a season which makes it unique, and makes the London teams have more difficulties than others because a derby is always a derby.

QPR team news

Rio Ferdinand is serving suspension while Joey Barton, Alejandro Faurlin, Nedum Onuoha and Jordon Mutch all are injured for the visitors.

QPR showed good quality and efficiency when they recorded their second win of the campaign on Monday night. Charlie Austin scored twice to see off Aston Villa, and the striker is their main threat going forward.

It should however be a win again for us this time around, and we predict a goal fest with the returning Costa taking centre stage yet again. 5-0 is our prediction. What do you think the score will be?

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Edited by Staff Editor