QPR face an uphill task when local rivals and champions elect Chelsea visit Loftus Road on Sunday -- but in Sandro they have a man with the inside track on a number of the Blues' top stars.
Jose Mourinho's Chelsea will move a step closer to the Premier League title with victory in the west London derby -- but Rangers are desperate for the points themselves as they look to remain in the division.
A win for Chris Ramsey's side would take them out of the relegation zone and Sandro, who is enjoying a run in the team after struggling with a knee problem, knows plenty about Chelsea's Brazilian contingent to help shut them down.
"Yes, I have a lot of friends there so I know their style," Sandro said when asked about his compatriots amongst Chelsea's squad.
"I'm friends with Oscar and Ramires so it's going to be hard because they are the top team and not easy to play against. We do things together but just off the pitch as friends, on the pitch -- no friends."
Sandro may have only played 14 times since joining from Tottenham on transfer deadline day in September but he is ready for the survival fight -- starting with Chelsea on Sunday -- and is not thinking about where his immediate future lies.
"Against Chelsea you have to put your face in there if you want to win," he said. "I like that challenge. It is not about them being scared but when you are a professional footballer you respect each other. I have to just show on the pitch and do my best to stop them.
"I am a QPR player and I am going to fight. No one is thinking about next year, just these six games. I can tell you everyone feels quite happy and that we can do this together. It is just about winning."
Harry Redknapp was the QPR manager when Sandro was signed, linking up with the man he had played under at White Hart Lane.
However, when Redknapp stepped down at the start of February, the club looked consigned to another relegation -- but Sandro does not believe the 68-year-old is to blame for QPR's current plight.
"I don't think so because it is both for the coach, for the players," he said when asked if the fault laid at Redknapp's door.
"I'm never going to put everything on the coach or the players, it is half and half because everyone has to pull together. If we don't stay up it's not Chris's fault, not our fault, it's everyone together.
"Of course he asked me to come here and trusts me but I have no problem with that (Redknapp leaving) because I am a professional player and this happens in football. I'm ready to play with another coach as well.
"Everyone was surprised because everyone knows Harry well here but like I said football is like that, things change quickly and Chris is doing a good job, he's a good coach and it's all about winning games now."