Chelsea make the short trip to Loftus Road this weekend hoping to move three points closer towards a first Premier League title since 2010, against a Rangers side fighting to keep their top flight status.
However the Blues have been dealt a huge blow after Jose Mourinho revealed that striker Diego Costa will be out until next month, due to a hamstring injury which has troubled the Spaniard all season.
The former Atletico Madrid striker is set to miss the next four games of the season (QPR, Manchester United, Arsenal and Leicester City), after limping off shortly after being brought on as a substitute in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Stoke City last weekend.
But despite Mourinho expecting Costa to miss the next four games, he remains hopeful that he will be fit for Chelsea’s final four fixtures against Crystal Palace, Liverpool West Ham and Sunderland.
The Blues boss spoke ahead of Sunday’s away fixture against QPR, saying: “Only Diego is injured, everybody else is fine and ready.”
Cesc Fabregas is set to play wearing a mask after breaking his nose against Stoke and, alongside Nemanja Matic, is one booking away from a two-match ban.
“We have eight matches to play, if he plays four it is normal. If he plays three he is a bit below what I am expecting. If he plays five that is more than I am expecting. I am not concerned by his injury.”
A stunning Oscar strike and an Eden Hazard penalty gave Chelsea a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, but QPR will go into the tie with reason for optimism after securing two 1-0 victories over Chelsea in the past two seasons.
And the home side go into the match having picked up four points from their past two games.
A stunning 4-1 away victory at West Bromwich and a thrilling 3-3 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park has left Chris Ramsey’s side just two points away from safety, albeit with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool left to play.
Though it seems a tough ask for QPR to avoid the drop, three points against the potential champions this weekend could mirror a similar escape to that of Sunderland last season, who beat Chelsea at the Bridge to avoid relegation.
However the Blues go into the game seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal, having won five of their last seven league outings, drawing the other two. And with such an advantage and a game in hand still to play, it looks as though Chelsea are on course to stroll to the title.
But Mourinho’s men have made hard work of winning recently, with all five wins coming by a solitary goal. And anything less than three points this weekend could make Chelsea’s run-in to the end of the season a bit more nervy then it perhaps should be; especially with United, Arsenal and Liverpool still to play.
And there’s no doubt that Sunday afternoon’s West London derby promises fireworks and drama at both ends of the Barclays Premier League table.
Match Facts:
- Chelsea have won three of the last six meetings between the two.
- QPR are unbeaten in their last two, ending a run of five consecutive defeats before the international break.
- There have only been two goals in the last three games between the two at Loftus Road, both of which have come from the penalty spot: Heidar Helguson for QPR and Juan Mata for Chelsea.
- Charlie Austin (17) has scored more goals this season than Loic Remy (7) and Didier Drogba (6) combined.
Form (last six games):
- QPR: DWLLLL
- Chelsea: WWDWDW
