English FA CUP
2012-01-28 - Queens Park Rangers vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Match Preview :
Saturday's early FA Cup kickoff sees the clash between two EPL sides as QPR and Chelsea meet at Loftus Road.
QPR earned the right to face Chelsea after Danny Gabbidon's winner against MK Dons in their third round replay, while Chelsea saw off Portsmouth 4-0 last time.
Queens Park Rangers hsve already pulled off a shock 1-0 home win over the Blues in the Premier League in October. Heidar Helguson scored a 10th minute penalty, and Chelsea ended with nine men, with Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba getting their marching orders in the first half.
This derby will be the first time Chelsea captain John Terry and QPR defender Anton Ferdinand have faced each other since the Blues' 1-0 league defeat in October. Then, Terry was subsequently charged with racially abusing Ferdinand during the game in which he vehemently denies and will appear in court on February 1st to contest the charge.
Meanwhile, the two Chairman of each sides - Bruce Buck and Tony Fernandes - have called for the derby to be a "celebration of football" as new QPR boss Mark Hughes faces his old side since leaving Chelsea. Good luck with fans playing along with that!
Rangers have lost the last seven FA Cup ties against Premier League clubs. QPR have not eliminated one since beating West Ham in the fourth round, in January 1995 at Loftus Road.
Team News :
QPR Team News :
QPR will be without a host of first-team players for the clash.Akos Buzsaky is struggling to feature at Loftus Road with an Achilles injury, while Gabbidon, Matthew Connolly and Heidar Helguson are rated doubtful.
Strikers Jay Bothroyd (groin) and DJ Campbell (hamstring) are definitely out, while Armand Traore and Adel Taarabt are on international duty for the African Nations Cup.
Chelsea Team News :
Defender Gary Cahill could feature after his move from Bolton, while midfielder Michael Essien could also start following his return from long-term injury.
However, midfielder Frank Lampard will miss the match with the calf tear he suffered at Norwich on Saturday, while John Obi Mikel remains out with a hamstring problem.
Strike pair Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou definitely miss out as they continue to represent Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Predictions :
Take Chelsea to prevail here as QPR is not the same side that defeated Chelsea during their last Premiership fiery encounter back in October.
The Pick :
QPR 0-2 Chelsea
BEST BETTING TIP :
Chelsea to get the win here.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Main Bet :
Take Chelsea to overcome the -1 ball handicap and Ladbrokes has a great 2.08 price on Chelsea to avenge the defeat they suffered back in October last year.
Take Chelsea to overcome the -1 ball handicap and Ladbrokes has a great 2.08 price on Chelsea to avenge the defeat they suffered back in October last year.
