Posts Tagged ‘Cup Campaign’

Chelsea vs QPR Preview

Chelsea’s Carling Cup campaign gets underway on Wednesday when QPR come to Stamford Bridge in the third round of the competition.

The Blues have yet to play in this season’s competition due to their European commitments while the Rs have already eliminated Exeter and Accrington.

Chelsea are looking to win the Carling Cup for the third time in six seasons, while they were famously knocked out by Burnley last season at home on penalties.

Carlo Ancelotti is boosted by the availability of Joe Cole and Yuri Zhirkov, the latter making his debut in a chelsea shirt following his summer move from CSKA Moscow.

England international Cole has been sidelined since January because of a ruptured knee ligament which required surgery while Zhirkov is fit again following a knee injury.

Chelsea are likely to rest regulars Ricardo Carvalho, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba. Drogba was taken off against Spurs with a calf stain, although the injury is not as serious as initially feared.

Salomon Kalou is almost certain to start in attack while Juliano Belletti could come in for Jose Bosingwa at right-back.

Blues youngsters Sam Hutchinson, Fabio Borini and Jeffrey Bruma will be in the squad, however, it remains to be seen whether they are given the nod by Ancelotti.