North East especially Sunderland is not an easy place for us in the recent past. We didn't win any of our last 3 trips to Sunderland. Last win came in 2013. Moyesy lost against another relegation candidate this weekend. So he will be up for our game. He will stifle the game, more like Baggies. However, Sunderland's D is not as good as Baggies. We should still able to bag few goals and see this through. I have faith in Sunderland D & Papi to ship 3 goals at the least. If Swansea can score 3 against them we should be able to get 6 against them But Sunderland will not be as open against us. But If our guys get the shooting boots on 6 is not far fetched. http://www.11v11.com/teams/chelsea/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Sunderland/
With the form Sunderland are in, you'd struggle to see where the threat comes from and their Defence should not be enough to keep us out. But saying that, mid week under the lights in the north east is not that ideal. Would rather this was a 3.00 Saturday fixture. We have also had some close games score wise in the last few weeks and we are probably due some dropped points. Would a 0-0 or 1-1 be that surprising?
If I were a Mackem, then...Yes. Can't see anything other than a win for us on Wednesday night. We are a completely different prospect to last season.
Only two games in a short period and possible injuries should worry us. We should smack Sunderland on form, but unfortunately we have to do it on their pitch. That said, this team does not like being beaten any more, even if it's at half time !! Another win, another 1-0 will be just fine.
Given our respective forms, this should be a tonking. However, we do not fare well at the Stadium of Light, so I am a little nervous. It's a notoriously dodgy ground for us.
To be honest, the Christmas period has always been dodgy for us, so I'm delighted as is with our form and performances. We have to lose/draw sometime and it's one of those things where the longer the winning run, the more the pressure mounts. I still expect a win but won't be too upset if it doesn't go our way.
Apart from the polar difference in our league positions, the added plus for our chances tomorrow must be the focus on breaking the record for consecutive wins in the PL
We are a different kettle to fish at home mate, and we are frigging reeling from the humiliation of the Swansea game, or at least I am. Jones cannot defend but we have no choice of our injury list and we don't have the luxury of quality players you have due to our tight owner. We will play either fantastic or crap.
I don't know why our fans are so confident. Out of all the games, this one i think is the sort of game we could potentially drop. 1. Sunderland have been on pretty good form (3w, 2l,) but have been winning at home. 2. We have historically struggled against sunderland recently for whatever reasons 3. This is a shorter week for us to prepare which we know conte loves doing. Saying that i think we will win but i would not be surprised to see us drop points. For them Watmore is a big miss as he's the one that offers the direct running and pace in the trio.
And another incentive now that Arsenal loose tonight, we could be six points clear by this time tomorrow, massive game against Sunderland now.
Toffees did us a favour tonight. Takes a little bit of the pressure off us somewhat. Still would be nice to go 6 points clear for the Christmas run in
Prior to the Swansea game they were playing REALLY well considering their position. If we get anything today we will have to earn it.
We need rotation tbh, hope chalobah or rlc see minutes tonight. Would think Ivanovic would be a good option with Mr anichebe being the physical beast he is. Defoe and he aren't particularly fast so he'd cope well in the centre, dave could go out wide.
Agreed!! Moyesy has done wonders despite their position. Having said that - They will be without Watmore who is a consistent livewire in their setup & will be with our own Papi. 0-3 to Chelsea. I think we may get more than 3 goals - if only Diego shoots more than squaring to Pedro FFS.
http://www.espnfc.us/chelsea/story/3019343/chelseas-eden-hazard-to-miss-sunderland-game-sources apparently Hazard didn't go to NE due to the injury picked up on Sunday