Chelsea (Probable, 4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Lampard, Mikel, Zhirkov; Kalou, Anelka, Malouda.

Sunderland (Probable, 4-4-1-1): Gordon; Onuoha, Turner, Bramble, Richardson; Elmohamady, Henderson, Cattermole, Welbeck; Malbranque; Gyan.

Referee: Chris Foy.

Tale of the game
On Wednesday, Chelsea maintained their impressive home record with a 1-0 win over neighbours Fulham.

But Michael Essien, having scored what proved to be the winner, was later sent-off, for a two-footed foul on Clint Dempsey, and is suspended.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti must decide whether to play Didier Drogba, diagnosed with malaria and below par in the win over Fulham.

Much will depend on the fitness of Nicolas Anelka, missing in midweek with a back complaint.

But Frank Lampard’s anticipated return could take place this weekend.

Sunderland’s last away win was at Hull in April and they last won in London in August 2008 – at White Hart Lane.

Since then, in 10 visits to the capital, Sunderland have failed to score in six, losing seven, scoring three goals and conceding 21.

And manager Steve Bruce’s record in London is worse; he last left on the winning side in a Premier League game in December 2004 – when he led former club Birmingham to a 3-2 win at Fulham.

Since then, Bruce has taken Birmingham, Wigan and Sunderland to London on 23 occasions, losing 17 and drawing six.

Last season, Sunderland lost 7-2, with Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka scoring two goals apiece.

Sunderland have lost on their last six League visits to Stamford Bridge, scoring twice and conceding 23 goals. Overall in the Premier League, Sunderland have won just once – in March 2001 – while losing the other eight, scoring eight goals and conceding a massive 35.

Leading score Darren Bent is out for at least two more weeks with a hamstring strain while John Mensah (shoulder), Anton Ferdinand (hamstring), Fraizer Campbell (knee) and David Meyler (knee) are all out.

Last season: Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3, Chelsea 7 Sunderland 2.

Stat of the game: Only two Sunderland players have scored the club’s 10 goals with Darren Bent netting six and Asamoah Gyan claiming four (plus one own goal).

Match

give to them Chelsea 3 0 Sunderland

tha big man Essien won't be around but we'll surely beat ma Gyan boys(Sunderland), Terry demz betta keep they eyes on Gyan the "baby jet"
tht Essien red card wuzn' fair @ all
BLUEZZ

A draw would be just fine.

slap1:

A draw would be just fine.

Chelsea may win this one cos Darren Bent is out, the dude is bent on bringing the top four down.

^^ sentiment no go wound some people. Even with eyinba, it will still be "chelsea may win". So na bent be super-hero? Loool.

daren bent played when they got thrashed 5-1 by newcastle and this i hate chelsea above anything else boys no go wan rest
we dey talk of ballers una go dey shout bent,now na bale,if no e maicon wey give dem mouth

Lampard Injured again out for 2 weeks more

Chelsea seem to be getting nuf of homes games lately. . .well Africa golden boy to destroy the bridge! a 2 - 2 draw will be fair for both parties!!!

draw game.

@slap1, if u like post x100, it won't change the game. Chelsea is winning da match!

waledoy:

Lampard Injured again out for 2 weeks more

He is out for atleast 3 weeks.

Chelsea to nick this.

mr.official:

@slap1, if u like post x100, it won't change the game. Chelsea is winning da match!

D R A W - G A M E!

^^ You wish. Let's bet.

^^ You wish.I'm 100% sure of da win, sunderland? Let's bet.

@ Post
May sunderland find their magic wand and perfom wonders 2 moro, The foolish blue colour appears strong but news have it Drogba has got " AKO IBA" Serious malaria perhaps by mosquito bites from visiting brothels in the ivory coast, and lampard is out for 3 years for injury picked up in training, well maybe chelsea can draw this one, other wise a one goal victory in favour of sunderland is good for football.

Definitely a win and nothing else


The sky is always blue

Mikel Obi will definately score today

too_soon:

Mikel Obi will definately score today

amen

too_soon:

Mikel Obi will definately score today

Prolly an own goal. Well, better an own goal than nothing, abi?

Here we go.

Ferreira in Central Defence. . .hmm. Not good.

PF is central defence. . . Haaa.

Mike!!! Can he even do dat

He played in central defence alongside Essien, in the season we had both Carvalho and Terry out.

Today Terry and Alex are out. .

I miss Ray Wilkins on that bench.
PF is a weak link.