Three Key Battles: Chelsea vs Queens Park Rangers 1) Diego Costa vs Steven Caulker Chelsea’s powerful Spanish centre forward Diego Costa is expected to return to the squad this weekend and once more spearhead The Blues’ attack. Costa suffered a hamstring injury whilst on international duty, and after a few weeks rest and recuperation, the striker will be motivated and keen to add to his nine league goals so far this season. Steven Caulker and the rest of the QPR defence can take a lot of heart and encouragement from their clean sheet against Villa on Monday, and it would appear that after experimenting with the continental 3-5-2 system, Redknapp has a settled and organised formation consisting of the former Cardiff City man in the heart of the defence with Richard Dunne. But all the organisation in the world will struggle to cope with the Costa and Cesc Fabregas combination, and if those two are firing tomorrow I expect The Blues to stroll to a comfortable victory. 2) Nemanja Matic vs Sandro Powerful midfielder Nemanja Matic has slotted seamlessly into that Chelsea midfield, and has anchored and shielded that back-line similarly to the role that was vacated by the former Blues favourite Claude Makalele. Alongside new recruit Cesc Fabregas, Matic has been in great form in the Chelsea midfield; he has power and strength on the ball, and is very difficult to dispossess. He also has a wide range of passing ability within his locker. Sandro arrived at Loftus Road from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer and plays a similar role to that of Matic, guarding and protecting the back four. Tomorrow Sandro is going to have to work tirelessly in the middle of the park to try and regain possession and make interceptions to avoid Chelsea dominating the ball in midfield. If that happens QPR are going to struggle, and with the quality of Matic and Fabregas in central midfield, they will be punished. 3) Gary Cahill vs Charlie Austin Chelsea’s portrayal as a strong, solid and powerful unit is also apparent in defence; the centre-half partnership of John Terry and Gary Cahill has looked concrete this season, whilst the chosen full-backs on either flank have also contributed to a water tight defence. One of the hardest things for a newly promoted side in the Premier League is finding a striker that is capable of scoring goals on a consistent basis, but in Charlie Austin QPR could have found their man. The former Burnley forward has four goals so far this season, and notched a brace in Monday’s victory over Villa. Austin proved in the Championship last year that he has the ability to be a goal-scorer, and when in the mood he can trouble even the most established top flight defender, so his impending dual with Cahill tomorrow has the potential to be a decisive and entertaining encounter. #ASSOT #CFC #KTBFFH
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:23:15 +0000