Preview
With yesterday’s disastrous news of Jose Mourinho being sacked by Chelsea Football Club it is expected that Steve Holland will take over and step in and be the manager for tomorrow’s must win match.
Chelsea have had an awful week on all fronts after drawing PSG (arguably the hardest team we could have faced) in the Champions League, later losing to Leicester and the sacking of Mourinho. Therefore the club desperately need a win vs Sunderland for a number of reasons.
There will be a lot of uncertainty heading into tomorrow’s game and it is impossible to predict which Chelsea will turn up – they may react well to the news of Mourinho leaving or may react badly.
Like Sam Allardyce said in his press conference yesterday, there hasn’t been a better time to face Chelsea due to recent results and the black cats will certainly be travelling to Stamford Bridge with confidence knowing a result is possible.
But hopefully the squad step up and show fight to get an all important 3 points to slightly improve Chelsea fans Christmas after a dismal start.
Match details
Saturday, 19th December, kick off 3:00pm (UK Time) at Stamford Bridge.
Recent results and previous meetings
Chelsea have certainly had mixed results in the last 5 games having won 2 (Maccabi Tel Aviv and Porto), drawing 1 (Tottenham) and losing 2 (Bournemouth and Leicester).
Likewise Sunderland have had mixed results in their last 5 games winning 2 (Crystal Palace and Stoke) and losing 3 (Southampton, Arsenal and Watford).
In the last 10 meetings home and away Chelsea have beaten Sunderland 7 times, there has been 1 draw and 2 Sunderland wins.
Chelsea have won 8 of the last 10 games between the two sides at Stamford Bridge meaning 2 away wins for Sunderland.
Team news
There are no suspensions for either side however Diego Costa is 1 yellow card away from receiving a 1 match ban in domestic competitions.
Chelsea have little concerns in terms of injuries ahead of tomorrow’s game with Eden Hazard and Radamel Falcao expected to both return having trained this week.
Whereas Sunderland will miss both Lee Cattermole and Sebastian Larsson in tomorrow’s game. However Younes Kaboul is back but Sebastian Coates is a doubt – the pair both missing recent games due to illness.
My prediction
I don’t see Chelsea’s abysmal week getting any better tomorrow and I unfortunately think Sunderland will head to London knowing they can get a result and will get one.
Chelsea 0-1 Sunderland
