Costa & Oscar Out: Predicted Chelsea Starting XI To Face QPR

Chelsea will look to tighten their grip at the top of the Premier League table when they face QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday afternoon. Here is the side I think Jose Mourinho will select:

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois is expected to retain his place between the sticks with Petr Cech once again on the bench.

Defence: The Blues have no fresh injury worries in defence so Mourinho is likely to stick with his first choice back four. That will see Cesar Azpilicueta retain his place ahead of Filipe Luis at left-back while Gary Cahill should partner John Terry in the middle of defence. Branislav Ivanovic will complete the back four with the Serbian international starting at right-back.

Midfield: Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas are both just one booking away from a two match suspension so if either pick up a yellow on Sunday they would miss key matches against Man Utd and Arsenal. However, Mourinho says this won’t stop him fielding the duo and confirmed that both will start on Sunday.

However, I think we might see Fabregas moved further forward with Ramires coming in to play alongside Matic in front of the back four.

Attack: If Fabregas does play further forward then Oscar is likely to drop out with Eden Hazard and Willian expected to keep their places in attack. Diego Costa has been ruled out for the rest of the month so Loic Remy is likely to keep his place up front after scoring winners in each of the last two games.

Here is how I think we’ll see Chelsea line-up:

What do you think about my team? What side would you go with?