Match Preview
Sunderland continue their latest attempt at
staging a great escape this weekend when
Chelsea travel to the Stadium of Light.
Sam Allardyce's side slipped into the Barclays
Premier League bottom three last weekend after
Newcastle United's win against Crystal Palace,
despite Sunderland snatching a late draw at
Stoke City.

One point separates the local rivals, although
Sunderland have a match in hand on Rafael
Benitez's side.

And they may well need it given their
disappointing record against Chelsea, the visitors
having won nine of their last 11 visits to
Wearside, a run that stretches back nearly 16
years.

History certainly stands against them this
weekend but Sunderland, who avoided BPL
relegation in the final weeks of last season, can
stay in touch with Newcastle by winning on
Saturday.

Chelsea ended Tottenham Hotspur's BPL title bid
on Monday night and will be tough opposition,
but Allardyce has admitted that his Sunderland
team "cannot afford" to slip up this weekend.
"We have to stay focused from start to finish."
he said. "That shows you. What happened to
Tottenham mentally, we cannot afford for that to
happen to our team."

The Black Cats will need to improve their scoring
record at home if they are to claim all three
points, though. Sunderland, who are free of
injury, have failed to find the back of the net in
their last three matches at the Stadium of Light.
After last season's title success, 2015/16 has
been one of frustration at Stamford Bridge and
Saturday's trip will be the penultimate match for
Guus Hiddink before he hands over to Antonio
Conte.

The Dutch coach has no new injury worries
ahead of the fixture, with only Loic Remy (groin)
and Kurt Zouma (knee) sidelined, although he is
expecting a tough match.
"Sunderland have a very experienced manager
who will fine-tune the team in the right way, it's
a difficult game," he said.

Sunderland (from): Harper, Mannone, Pickford,
Brown, Jones, Kaboul, Kirchhoff, Kone, O'Shea,
Van Aanholt, Yedlin, Buckley, Cattermole, Khazri,
Larsson, M'Vila, Rodwell, Borini, Defoe, Gooch,
Lens, N'Doye, Toivonen, Watmore.

Chelsea (from): Amelia, Begovic, Blackman,
Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Miazga,
Rahman, Terry, Fabregas, Hazard, Loftus-Cheek,
Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Traore, Willian, Costa,
Falcao, Kenedy, Pato, Pedro.

Match Appointments
Referee: Mike Jones Assistants: R West, M
Scholes Fourth Official: G Scott

Match Facts
- Sunderland last defeated Chelsea at home in
the Barclays Premier League back in October
2000.
- Chelsea have won 19 and lost just two of
their last 22 BPL contests with Sunderland.
- Cesc Fabregas has scored four BPL goals
against Sunderland, his joint-best haul against
any opponent (along with Everton).
- Former Blues forward Fabio Borini has
scored in two of his three league appearances
against Chelsea for current club Sunderland.
Current Form

I just hope , just maybe this match sparks up some excitement .
We got all 3 points today but that was a poor performance .
LVG keeps gambling with this team .
#GGMU ...
Let's hope Arsenal does us a favor a tomorrow






Breaking News ★★★★★

2-0

Is this match fixed? Chelsea would win the match of course. Convincingly.



Like for chelsea....

we will beat Sunderland on Saturday......UEPA is ours next season by his grace.....kai allah abun godiya

Chelsea can win.

No need to talk too much, blues have this one.

STARGREEN:
Chelsea can win.

yes sir....we may win

edwife:
No need to talk too much, blues have this one.

who will win??


Sunderland all the way..........

edwife:
No need to talk too much, blues have this one.

Edwife make Chelsea sell this game jare, to give Sunderland small hope ...

I just thank God say my club,man u win.

fredoooooo:


Edwife make Chelsea sell this game jare, to give Sunderland small hope ...

Bros we need to stay at least above number 10... . Sunderland should fight their way up just like we did.

Make Chelsea win because of my ticket.

goalllllllllllllllllllllll Costaaaaaaaaaa dancing Don Moen.........

defo has deform Glory

edwife:


Bros we need to stay at least above number 10... . Sunderland should fight their way up just like we did.

Ha !! position no count again at this time of the season jare ...

a goal for chelsea.

O boy Chelsea Madness has rising like Jim Iyk drug

Relegation team score fluke goal and they won't allow us rest

Yea Right!!! Chelsea for Life!

hayzee545:
I love it when Chelsea is down! nice equaliser

You see your life! Keep hating! Equaliser kor, tranquilizer ni.

aieromon:
Relegation team score fluke goal and they won't allow us rest

It took Man U 84 min to score against Norwich, a relegation team.Superb!

Goal Chelsea have qualified for UEFA European League.

S

Man utd 4 Life Buh Chelsea gatz Win this Match , .

Goal!

VickyRotex:
Yea Right!!! Chelsea for Life!
www.nairaland.com/attachments/3688590_funnyhatersgonnahatememe05_jpegde65764d565a48de6484e37b107a99bd

edwife you should borrow this bag for your miss nairaland campaign

.

Ahh

gooallllll 1-1

I love it when Chelsea is down! nice equaliser

hayzee545:
I love it when Chelsea is down! nice equaliser

Lwkmd