TEAM NEWS: Mata benched & Turnbull starts for Chelsea against QPR

Jan 2, 2013 7:00:00 PM

The Spanish star has been rested by Rafael Benitez, while Petr Cech remains out with a groin injury, as Harry Redknapp makes four changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Liverpool

Juan Mata has dropped to the bench while Petr Cech is out with a groin injury as Chelsea take on QPR in a west London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Ross Turnbull is in goal for the hosts, while Marko Marin makes his first Premier League start for the Blues. Frank Lampard continues alongside David Luiz in midfield following his match-winning display against Everton.

Ryan Bertrand starts at left-back with Ashley Cole on the bench as Rafa Benitez rotates his team, with Eden Hazard also among the subs with Ramires.

For the visitors, Fabio is in at left-back for Armand Traore, while Shaun Derry replaces Djibril Cisse as he did at half-time of their 3-0 defeat against Liverpool, with Jamie Mackie leading the line.

In two other changes for the visitors, Esteban Granero starts in place of Samba Diakite, who is out of the team altogether, while the benched Shaun Wright-Phillips is replaced by Junior Hoilett.

Chelsea: Turnbull; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Bertrand; David Luiz, Lampard; Moses, Oscar, Marin; Torres.

Subs: Hilario, Cole, Ferreira, Ramires, Mata, Hazard, Piazon.

QPR: Cesar; Onuoha, Nelsen, Hill, Fabio; Mbia, Derry; Hoilett, Granero, Taarabt; Mackie.

Subs: Green, Ferdinand, Park, Cisse, Wright-Phillips, Dyer, Faurlin.

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