QPR v Chelsea Prediction
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Saturday, 28 January 2012
The FA Cup with Budweiser
QPR v Chelsea, R4, 12:00
Author: Thomas Rooney 25/01/2012
Both QPR and Chelsea will have braced themselves for a tinderbox atmosphere at Loftus Road as the two rivals meet in the F.A Cup fourth round on Saturday.
The issue of John Terry and Anton Ferdinand meeting for their first time since QPR’s controversial win over Chelsea back in October has loomed large over the game, with both clubs pleading for calm ahead of what could be a tense atmosphere.
Terry has been charged with racially abusing Ferdinand during the Rs 1-0 win over their local rivals when the two sides met earlier this season, while the issue was exacerbated by the Blues’ fans aiming questionable chants towards Ferdinand during their Champions League tie against Genk two weeks later.
Heidar Helguson got the winner from the penalty spot during that October meeting as Chelsea finished the game with nine men, but it was Terry’s alleged comments to Ferdinand that made the headlines in the fallout after the game.
Both clubs have moved to quell tensions, with Terry and Ferdinand being urged to shake hands before the game, but that is unlikely to have any effect on the two sets of fans who need no help in getting fired up for a game against their local rivals, let alone one loaded with so much controversy.
On the pitch Chelsea have struggled of late, and couldn’t raise their game to claim all three points against newly-promoted Norwich on Saturday, instead being forced to settle for a 0-0 draw.
The Blues remain in the top four in the league but off-the-field distractions apart from Terry’s impending court case include Fernando Torres’s continued struggles in front of goal and Frank Lampard’s omission from the first team continue to haunt the west London outfit, and a Cup run would be a welcome distraction for boss Andre Villas-Boas.
QPR meanwhile secured their first league win under new boss Mark Hughes on Saturday with a convincing 3-1 win over Wigan, and the Welshman will be aware of the boost of a win over their rivals and a decent cup run would do for their confidence in what is shaping up to be a fierce relegation battle.
Lampard looks set to miss the game after a scan revealed a small tear in his calf picked up in the game against Norwich, while Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are still away on international duty but Michael Essien could be in line for a start after appearing as a sub for the second week in a row at Carrow road.
Prediction wise, this is going to be a tight game, but Chelsea’s inconsistencies could mean that QPR nick a surprise win.
Football bet: QPR @ 9/2 with Bet365 - (£200 in free bets)
Correct score prediction: QPR 2-1 Chelsea @ 20/1 with Betfair
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