The West London Derbies may not have quite the same cachet as the Manchester Derby, the North-West Derby, or the North London Derby, but the rivalries between the clubs in West London are always notable for the sheer contentious nature of them. That’s especially true when Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea face off, because these are two clubs that just don’t like each other very much.
QPR vs. Chelsea 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
This version of the West London Derby is often one-sided in recent years, but that hasn’t made it any less contentious.
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Of course, with Chelsea so far ahead in the Premier League title race and QPR trying to stave off relegation, there’s little directly on the line. But with QPR desperate for points and always eager to play the spoiler, you know they’ll be eager to give their rivals a bloody nose and smudge up their end run towards the EPL title a little. With that at hand added to their traditionally abrasive nature towards Chelsea, this could be quite a battle on the pitch at Loftus Road.
Key player - Charlie Austin (QPR)
Austin has been one of the most exciting revelations of this EPL season, looking fantastic despite a mostly mediocre supporting cast and emerging as one of the best young strikers in England. If QPR are going to have any chance of pulling off an upset in this match, they will have to rely on Austin to make it happen. It’s not going to be easy and he’ll have to be very, very good, but he has the ability to make it happen, and it will be a sight to see if he does.
Key Matchup - Sandro (QPR) vs. Oscar (Chelsea)
With QPR’s midfield battered and bruised, Sandro is the last man standing in the middle of the park who has a chance of keeping Chelsea’s attacking buildup in check. With Cesc Fabregas not a lock to play, that means a lot of Chelsea’s attack will run through Oscar, so Sandro’s main task will be to keep his fellow Brazilian in check. If he can pull it off, QPR will stand a much better chance of getting something out of this match. There will still be a lot for them to overcome, but at least they’d have one major factor going in their favor.
Queens Park Rangers injuries and suspensions
Out: Leroy Fer (knee), Richard Dunne (knee), Adel Taarabt (muscle tear), Alejandro Faurlin (knee) In doubt: Rio Ferdinand (muscle strain), Suk-Young Yun (concussion), Darnell Furlong (calf), Michael Doughty (ankle)
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Diego Costa (hamstring) In doubt: Cesc Fabregas (broken nose)
Chelsea have few injury concerns, but losing Costa and maybe not having Fabregas either are both big blows. QPR, on the other hand, are going to have a hard time even filling out a cogent lineup, with a number of key players either out or at well less than 100%. The latest blow is the loss of key forward Vargas, who tore a ligament in his knee and will miss the rest of the season.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 8:30 a.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. local
Venue: Loftus Road, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S.), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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