QPR midfielder Alejandro Faurlin, out of action because of a cruciate knee injury, writes on Twitter:, external "What a special and important day this is for QPR. Wish the lads all the very best. Damn I miss to be out there."

And we're off. Three players in danger of a two-game ban after today. Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas for Chelsea, and QPR's Joey Barton, will be sitting out soon if they see yellow today.

After coming through a tiny-looking tunnel where Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has to duck down to get through, the players are out, have shook hands and we're ready to go. QPR have not won at home in 2015. Is today the day that run ends?

There will almost certainly be no need for sombreros in Manchester later on. In London, anything goes.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has his shades on - it is a lovely day at Loftus Road. There will be no need for the shades at Old Trafford later though. It is dark, miserable and looks like it will rain very heavily up north. So a pretty normal Manchester day then.

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin

"Eden Hazard's performance against Stoke was incredible; he was brave, intelligent and simply fantastic. Chelsea would miss him more than Diego Costa. If he got injured there could be a problem.

Image source, Getty Images

"The tactics often do look like they get the ball to him as much as possible and he thrives on the responsibility. I used to enjoy the pressure and expectations when I played and he seems to be the same.

"He brings so much confidence and belief to the team. He creates chances, scores goals and, at his best, is basically unstoppable.

"If he plays like did against Stoke in the next few games, then he can deliver the points Chelsea need to win the title."

Another member of the Eden Hazard fan club is ex-Chelsea striker Pat Nevin. This is what he has to say about the Belgium international.

Eden Hazard is without equal in the Premier League this season and the clear player of the year, according to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Image source, Getty Images

The Belgium playmaker has sparkled at times, scoring 12 goals in 30 matches, to help Chelsea top the standings by seven points with eight games to play before Sunday's clash at QPR.

"I think what he's doing, speaking in a very honest way, it shouldn't even be a debate," Mourinho said.

"If somebody throws other names on the table, it's because he wants to sell papers, wants to throw some sand into people's eyes, because this player (Hazard) is by far the best player in the Premier League all season."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who is without the injured Diego Costa and Loic Remy this afternoon: "We don't cry about missing Diego Costa and Loic Remy, today we have full trust in Didier Drogba.

Image source, Getty Images

"It's a difficult match for us and for them - we want to try and win and we're playing against a team who is fighting for points to stay in the division. It's a big match and hopefully the expectation is comparable to the performance of both teams."

The players are running around doing their pre-match warm-ups. One point to note, Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, one booking away from a suspension, has donned a Zorro-style mask after breaking his nose during the match against Stoke.

Earlier this week, Fabregas posted a picture of said nose on Instagram.

Image source, Cesc Fabregas

Anil Pingali: Best derby ever? Mohun Bagan v East Bengal in the Calcutta. 86yr old derby played out in front of 100k supporters.

Achiakh: The best derby ever is the Casablanca one between Raja v Wydad this season when John Toshack's Wydad scored two goals in the last 3 minutes a 2-2 draw in front of 80,000 passionate fans.

Kristian: Was on holiday in Sweden went to Malmo v Helsingborg, 7000 standing on terrace behind the goal, flares, flags great derby 3-0.

Image source, BBC Sport

So this is the situation at the bottom of the Premier League. QPR will move above Hull City and Sunderland if they record a shock win against Chelsea. A 5-0 defeat for Rangers will take them below Burnley.

MOTD2 Extra

QPR won promotion from the Championship last season and are fighting to stay in the Premier League. The same situation as Leicester City, who remain bottom, despite beating West Brom 3-2 on Saturday.

Former Leicester midfielder Robbie Savage: "If Leicester go down, people will feel sorry for them. They haven't spent loads of money and they have had a right go in every single game. Even if they go down, I think Nigel Pearson should keep his job. But they have momentum now. I think they can stay up."

Sunday Mirror journalist Andy Dunn: "Hull City should be worried and West Brom have the worst run-in of the lot. Leicester's fixtures look the most comfortable but it's how they respond to the pressure. Everyone has said Leicester are relegated but they've kept on attacking and now they are the ones with momentum."

Chelsea on Twitter: Loic Remy is out with a muscular injury picked up in training yesterday. Eden Hazard will play his 100th Premier League game for the club today.

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Ollie Claydon: Our chubby Camden Falcons lads arrived in random kit to play the track suited Camden Tigers and beat them 3-1 at their stadium!

We want to hear the your best personal derby experiences. Been a Sunday League hero or villain? Tweet us with #getinspired, leave a message on the BBC Sport Facebook page or text us on 81111.

MOTD2 Extra

But Aston Villa are getting closer to Premier League survival after winning 1-0 at Tottenham yesterday.

Former Leicester midfielder Robbie Savage: "Would Spurs have been better off sticking with Sherwood? It's a tough question. He did well there, had a good win percentage and did well with Emmanuel Adebayor. He will keep Villa up. It's simple straightforward football they play - get the ball up to Christian Benteke, get runners off him and that's Tim all over. No philosophy nonsense! He's got a chance of an FA Cup final so in the space of six months as well so he could be a hero of Aston Villa. They only scored 12 under Paul Lambert and have scored the same amount under Tim so far."

Former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane: "Against QPR last week Aston Villa got the ball up to Christian Benteke and they got him in the game quickly. He bullied the two QPR centre-backs well. He was excellent for me, got himself in the game against Tottenham yesterday and showed his movement and finishing. He's in form because they are playing to his strengths and that's where his goals have been coming from. It's made over complicated at times football."

MOTD2 Extra

One of QPR's rivals near the bottom of the Premier League, Sunderland, took a heavy beating on Saturday as they lost 4-1 to Crystal Palace at the Stadium of Light.

Former Leicester midfielder Robbie Savage: "Dick Advocaat has got to be brave and leave his captain, John O'Shea, out. He's the leader but his performances haven't been good enough. I'm not sure Coates on the bench is any better but they cannot keep giving away goals like they are."

Former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane: "Even when I was there at Sunderland, the performances in the big games were fine. The atmosphere is intimidating, but then they don't follow it up against somebody like Crystal Palace at home. I don't know why."

Sunday Mirror journalist Andy Dunn: "There's no evidence to give Dick Advocaat a long-term contract. Personally, I think they should have stuck with Gus Poyet."

Hit the live coverage tab to watch MOTD2 Extra now.

Chris Ramsey says he likes watching Eastenders. But earlier this week, former QPR manager Harry Redknapp said the club was a bit like a "soap opera".

Redknapp quit as QPR manager, blaming imminent knee replacement surgery for his decision. The 67-year-old believes he would have kept QPR in the Premier League despite being second from bottom when he quit.

He told the BBC: "I always thought I had everyone pulling with me and suddenly I felt some were and some weren't. Behind the scenes, I always thought there were one or two people with their own agendas."

So what is the next twist in the QPR drama. Stay tuned and we will find out later on.

QPR boss Chris Ramsey spoke to BBC Radio 5 live earlier today. And he may well have watched Eastenders earlier on.

"You have to live a normal life as a manager," said Ramsey, describing his pre-match routine.

"If we have an afternoon game, I'll run the line for my son's team in the morning. I am just a normal guy doing a job in a big club. I don't drive a Ferrari or anything like that.

"Sometimes as managers we need to get off the pedestal and understand what a fan has been through. I watch a film on the ipod or Eastenders in the 90 minutes before a game. It is the worst time."

MOTD2 Extra

Arsenal fans will be watching Chelsea's game at QPR anxiously later on. This is what our MOTD2 pundits thought of Arsenal's 1-0 win at Burnley.

Former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane: "Burnley didn't create a lot, they were pressing throughout but it was impressive the way Arsenal stuck in and kept their shape. They were always a threat going forward. I think they could grind out results more - that's what has cost them this season."

Image source, Getty Images

Sunday Mirror journalist Andy Dunn: "Francis Coquelin has been the sort of player everyone has been crying out for Arsene Wenger to sign and he's been there all the time. He's made the difference. It looks promising for Arsenal at the moment."

Hit the live coverage tab to watch MOTD2 Extra now.