An intriguing day in the Premier League starts with Chelsea hoping to get themselves back in contention for the fourth and final Champions League spot, taking on London rivals Queens Park Rangers, who are looking to climb away from a relegation zone they are only above on goal difference.
Chelsea Vs. Queens Park Rangers, 2012 Premier League: Lineups
Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo made a few changes from the side which did so well to beat Barcelona recently over two legs, and named a side which saw Paulo Ferreira, Michael Essien and Daniel Sturridge all get starts, while Didier Drogba, Raul Meireles and Florent Malouda all watch from the bench.
Queens Park Rangers manager, and former Chelsea player Mark Hughes named a familiar looking lineup, boosted by the return from suspension of French international striker Djibril Cisse to partner Bobby Zamora.
Chelsea Team (4-3-3): Petr Cech; Paulo Ferreira, Jose Bosingwa, John Terry, Ashley Cole; Juan Mata, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard; Daniel Sturridge, Fernando Torres, Salomon Kalou.
Substitutes: Ross Turnbull, Oriol Romeu, Ramires, Dider Drogba, Florent Malouda, Raul Meireles, Sam Hutchinson.
Queens Park Rangers Team (4-4-2): Paddy Kenny; Nedum Onuoha, Anton Ferdinand, Clint Hill, Taye Taiwo; Jamie Mackie, Joey Barton, Shaun Derry, Akos Buzsaky; Djibril Cisse, Bobby Zamora.
Substitutes: Radek Cerny, Danny Gabbidon, DJ Campbell, Armand Traore, Luke Young, Tommy Smith, Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Handshake fans will be left disappointed as the pre-match routine has been abandoned on the advice of The FA to avoid further controversy between John Terry and Anton Ferdinand,
The game kicks off at 1:30pm local time at Stamford Bridge, Live on Sky Sports. For US viewers it’s 8:30am Eastern, live on Fox Soccer Channel.
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