Sunderland Look To Do The Impossible Against Chelsea

Sunderland host Chelsea tonight (29th November, 17:30) hoping to become the first team to beat Jose Mourinho`s table toppers this season. It won`t be an easy job for the Black Cat`s manager Gus Poyet, in spite of his team`s up-turn in form. Chelsea looked exciting as they hit Schalke for five in the Champions League during the week and qualified for the knockout stages of the competition.

The Schalke match-up was the Blues` fifth game of November, winning all but one of their matches. The run began on the first weekend of the month as Oscar and Eden Hazard scored in either half to defeat a tough Queens Park Rangers side 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho`s men needed a late goal from Nemanja Matic to equalise against Maribor on their trip to the Slovenian champions in the Champions League, before beating Premier League runners-up Liverpool, despite going behind eight minutes in. Emre Can broke the deadlock for the Reds though Gary Cahill managed to level up just minutes later. The match was precariously perched until the on-fire Diego Costa grabbed the winner half-way through the second 45.

Costa was again on the scoresheet in their home clash with West Bromwich Albion, bagging the first in his side`s 2-0 victory. The Spaniard scored on the tenth minute with Hazard hitting the second past opposition keeper Ben Foster a quarter of an hour later.

John Terry continued the London club`s tradition of netting early by opening their account two minutes in against Schalke. Willian grabbed the second before Jan Kirchhoff put the ball past his own keeper to make it three prior to the half-time whistle. It remained that way until the 75th minute mark when substitute Didier Drogba and Ramires both netted within two minutes of each other.

Despite failing to continue his high-scoring run in Slovenia, eleven goal Costa is the 7/2 favourite to grab the opener in tonight`s match with ladbrokes. He was substituted as a precaution against Roberto Di Matteo`s team though should be fit to start tonight.

With their propensity to hit the back of the net early on, there could be value to be had in the 3/1 being offered by Coral on Chelsea hitting the first goal before the 15 minute marker.

November has gone relatively smoothly for Poyet`s Sunderland having won one and drawn two of their three games. This form has seen them move out of the relegation zone and put a three point buffer between themselves in 14th place and Leicester in the final relegation spot.

The first day of the month saw the North East club record a 3-1 away win against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace. Steven Fletcher put Poyet`s men ahead before they were pegged back by a Wes Brown own goal. Mile Jedinak`s dismissal saw the luck fall the Black Cats way and they finally retook the lead through Jordi Gomez with 10 minutes remaining. Fletcher scored a second to put the result beyond all doubt.

Sunderland once again took the lead at home against Everton. This time Sebastian Larsson grabbed the opener deep into the second half. The Stadium of Light outfit looked good for all three points until Leighton Baines snatched and converted a penalty with the clock ticking.

Neither side could find the back of the net when the Black Cats travelled down to Leicester`s King Power Stadium last time out.

Chelsea`s emphatic streak sees them as the easy to back 2/5 favourites for the clash with most bookmakers. Sunderland are available at 17/2 (Numerous) whilst a draw can be picked up at 9/2 with bet365.

Sunderland will do well to get a result from the game, missing defenders Emanuele Giaccherini (ankle), Billy Jones (hamstring) and Patrick van Aarnholt (shoulder) with injuries. Ricky Alvarez (knee) and Sebastian Coates (calf) should, however, return.

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29/11/2014     © Frixo 2026