QPR and Chelsea meet for the first time in the Premier League since the 1995/96 season in one of the more low-key London derbies with the Hoops still searching for their first home win
Neil Warnocks side sit eleventh after eight games but have yet to taste victory at Loftus Road drawing three and losing one of their four games on home soil. One man who will be keen to impress on Sunday will be Shaun Wright-Phillips who endured a testing four years at Stamford Bridge spending most of his time on the bench. He is now playing freely and with confidence at Rangers and will pose a huge threat with his pace and direct running giving the side an extra attacking edge. Despite his quality going forward Warnocks side just can’t seem to find the back of the net with Jay Bothroyd, DJ Campbell, Heidar Helguson and Jamie Mackie managing just two goals between them. Adel Taarabt hasn’t scored in his last 10 games in all competitions failing replicate his goalscoring form from last seasons Championship winning campaign and will need to start hitting the net if the strikers continue to struggle. London derbies aren’t their strong suit either winning just one of their last 14 league and cup meetings with Chelsea.
The Blues are playing some scintillating football under Andre Villas-Boas but are stuck firmly behind the two Manchester clubs at the top of the Premier League. One of the success stories of his short reign so far has to be Daniel Sturridge who has taken the form shown loan at Bolton last season into the current campaign. His energetic performances as part of a front three at Stamford Bridge have brought him four goals this season making it 12 from 16 appearances in 2011 including his spell at the Trotters. Chelsea won on their last visit to Loftus Road in 1996 winning 2-1 courtesy of goals from John Spencer and Paul Furlong. There is a more continental feel to the Blues side now with Didier Drogba one of the more exotic names in their lineup. The Ivorian is set to make his 313th appearance for the club and will hoping to play his part in maintaing their run of six wins from the last seven. With Juan Mata and Sturridge likely to be supporting him it’s likely he will be toasting his accolade with a goal which will be Chelsea’s 6,000th in League football.
Key Players
Luke Young – One of the quieter deadline day signings for Neil Warnock the former England defender has already proved his dependebility to the R’s. His experience has come in handy in their recent unbeaten run and surge up the table whilst his performances on the right of defence has given Wright-Phillips a solid base to attack.
Frank Lampard – Back to his best and running the Chelsea midfield Lampard has been in hot form in the last couple of weeks. Goals have started to flow and his link up with Mata has been a delight. His fitness has also improved and has aided him in performing the late runs into the penalty that have been the staple of his career.
Prediction: 0-3
Frank Lampard’s performance in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Everton has lifted him 3 more places in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, and the much scrutinised England midfielder is now ranked 7th overall Lampard also covered more ground than any other player on the pitch against Everton with 12.724km. The only other player to get close was Everton’s Jack Rodwell who covered 12.718km. At 20 years old Rodwell is 13 years Lampard’s junior QPR’s Luke Young covered the most ground for his team in the Blackburn game with 12.864km. His committed performance has seen him go up 5 places in the index to 87th place Young has won 78% of the 23 tackles he has attempted this season and also put in 10 crosses
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