:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31839045/457428817.0.jpg)
Sunderland team news
Gus Poyet is expected to stick with the side that played so well against Manchester City in the week. The injury situation does seem to be easing slightly, though Liam Bridcutt, Phil Bardsley, Carlos Cuellar and Ki Sung-Yueng remain unavailable.
Chelsea team news
The big Chelsea team news remains the absence of the brilliant Eden Hazard. I say 'big', but I mean 'only'. Aside from the Belgian, Jose Mourinho has a full squad to pick from.
Predicted line-ups
Key match-up: Connor Wickham v John Terry
Wickham was a real handful against Manchester City and if he can replicate that here then he may just find John Terry, who has had an outstanding season in fairness, vulnerable to the kind of pace and power the youngster showed at The Etihad.
Recent form: WLLWWW
Win: Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal
Loss: Crystal Palace 1-0 Chelsea
Loss: PSG 3-1 Chelsea
Win: Chelsea 3-0 Stoke
Win: Chelsea 2-0 PSG
Win: Swansea 0-1 Chelsea
Last Time Around: Chelsea 2-1 Sunderland, 7/4/2013
Paolo Di Canio began his whirlwind reign as Sunderland manager at Stamford Bridge and even saw his time take the lead before an 8-minute second half blitz saw the Blues home.
Referee: Mike Dean
The experienced Wirral-born Dean has not encountered Sunderland often this season but has been a lucky charm. His two games involving Sunderland have both seen wins for the Black Cats, first against Manchester City and then against Fulham.
What the managers said
Gus Poyet
People will ask how is it possible Sunderland might break Chelsea’s long unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge.
But why not?
Steve Holland (Jose couldn't be arsed)
Sunderland were excellent in the week at Man City and were minutes away from being only the second team in the Premier League to win there this season, so it will be a very difficult game.
We have to approach it in a professional manner. This game is of huge importance.
Roker Report predicts
Tipping Sunderland for a battering in midweek didn't do us any harm, so I'll tip another home win here. I'll go 2-0 Chelsea.
