April 11, 2015 09:18:03 UK
Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho has told his side to improve their Premier League title hopes by winning at Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.
The Blues hold a seven-point lead going into the London derby at Loftus Road, knowing that if they pick up 15 points from their remaining eight games that they will be guaranteed the title.
“This match (against QPR) is a three-point match and we have to play with our maximum power.
Jose Mourinho
And Mourinho is well aware of what needs to be done, having guided Chelsea to two league successes during his first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.
He told reporters: “Now it’s just five victories or four victories and two draws.
“Any points we do against QPR our situation improves, but we need points. Every team with less than 21 points distance to us mathematically is in the race.”
Chelsea are available at 1.40 to win on Sunday and are 2.00 to keep a clean sheet, with the Blues 5.00 to have to settle for a draw.
The visitors will be without star striker Diego Costa, who is expected to be out for several weeks due to a hamstring problem which flared up again in the 2-1 win over Stoke City last weekend.
Portuguese Mourinho said of the Spain international: “We have eight matches to play, if he plays four it’s normal. If he plays three, it’s a little bit below what I’m expecting.”
Meanwhile, key midfield duo Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas are expected to feature at Loftus Road, despite both men being one booking away from a suspension.
A yellow card against the Hoops would rule either man out of the crunch clashes with Manchester United and Arsenal which come in the next two weeks.
However, a wary Mourinho added: “This match (against QPR) is a three-point match and we have to play with our maximum power.”
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