Chelsea face an inconsistent Sunderland in a bid to continue their unbeaten run in the league campaign. Sunderland was the last team to beat Chelsea in the Premier League when they beat the Blues in Stamford Bridge last April breaking Mourinho’s record of being unbeaten at home. Can they do it again and cause a bigger upset this time out? Here are the player battles that we would definitely find in the game.
John O’Shea vs. Diego Costa
Costa has wreaked havoc with his aggressive style of play and clinical finishing. Chelsea has been the perfect team for him which encourages strikers to be ruthless. O’Shea has seen tough times this season and this could be one of his toughest battles when Costa plays as if he has a personal animosity against the Center Back breed.
Santiago Vergini vs. Eden Hazard
Last time Chelsea visited Sunderland, the Blues’ little master absolutely annihilated the Black Cats with his skills as well as finishing. Though Hazard’s finishing has been inconsistent this season, he has still been the same defender’s nightmare. Vergini will have to face him at full back and stop him from cutting in. Hazard hasn’t been tried enough as an out and out winger so pushing him to the outside would do a great deal of immediate good for Sunderland. Keeping Chelsea’s left flank shut will be Vergini’s job, while he’ll also have to be ready for counter attacks.
Lee Cattermole vs. Cesc Fabregas
Cattermole is likely to man mark Chelsea’s playmaker Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard controls the game for Chelsea by holding possession, initiating attacks and creating chances galore. Cattermole is the aggressive type of defensive midfielder who will be up to the challenge but may still not contain Fabregas fully. He’ll have to keep a check of Fabregas’ movements and try to maintain his position rather than be cleverly dragged out of position which allows Oscar to play his game from a deep position.
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