Players to look out for:
Juan Mata:
The Spaniard proved a point to manager Jose Mourinho with a master class performance in midfield setting up two goals in Chelsea’s comeback. With major tabloids (according to the French website Sport24 Mata is linked with a move to PSG once again) linking him with a move away from Stamford Bridge come this January, Mata would be eager to get himself more gametime on the pitch and prove his credentials.
For Sunderland, once again the onus would be on the forward line rather than an individual who would get the Black Cats on the scoresheet. Moreover the onus would be on Lee Cattermole in the heart of midfield to control the tempo of flowingpossession for the home side.
Possible starting lineups
Sunderland: Mannone; Bardsley, Dossena, Brown, O’Shea; Ki, Gardner, Larsson, Giaccherini; Borini, Fletcher
Chelsea: Cech; Cole, Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic; Mikel, Ramires; Mata, Hazard, Schurrle; Torres
Match Facts:
- Sunderland have scored just 12 goals in their last 14 Barclays Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light.
- Chelsea have won 16 and lost one of their last 17 Barclays Premier League games against Sunderland.
- Fernando Torres has scored six goals in seven Premier League starts against Sunderland – against no side has he netted more in the competition.
- Torres has scored three goals in his last three Premier League appearances at the Stadium of Light.
- Chelsea have only won back to back Premier League away games once in 2013.
- Sunderland have conceded more own goals than any other Premier League team this season (3).
- Chelsea have been caught offside more often than any other Premier League side this season (43 times).
Stats compiled from eurosport.yahoo.com
Predictions:
The Blues have won on their last eight visits to the home of the Wearsiders and going by current form there seems no indication of any other result that would come in mind. The home side have to play out of their skin to get anything out of this match in order to match Chelsea’s superiority on the pitch. Given the plethora of midfield and talent at his disposal, anything less than a convincing victory for Jose Mourinho would be a sign of major worry considering Chelsea’s title aspirations. I would go for a 3-1 win for the Blues which would pile further misery for Poyet and his boys.