The post Jose Mourniho era begins at Stamford Bridge in less than 72 hours after the owners of Chelsea football club let go of their most successful manager in the history of the club. Jose Mourinho helped the Blues to a title winning season in the previous campaign but has lost his job after a poor three months that sees his team languishing at the 16th position in the table.
They will now face a virtual 6 pointer at the bottom of the table when they take on Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland in the Premier League this weekend. Guus Hiddink is understood as the fore runner for the manager’s job at the club but may not lead the side for the game against the Black Cats. Here is the preview of the game along with the Team News, Expected Line-ups, Predictions and Betting Odds.
The Chelsea vs Sunderland game will be played on Saturday the 19th of December at the Stamford Bridge in London. The kick off is scheduled at 3:00 pm BST (8:30 pm IST)
Team News:
First team coach Steve Holland will be the man in charge of choosing the best XI he feels can beat the Sunderland side on Saturday. There are no fresh injury concerns for the club. Eden Hazard who limped off in the game against Leicester may not be available giving Pedro a chance to start on Saturday. Out of form striker Radamel Falcao is expected to start on the bench after recovering from an injury.
The visitors will be without the likes of Sebastian Larsson and Lee Cattermole both whom are recovering from injury. Sebastian Coates is nearing full fitness for the Black Cats but the trip to the Bridge may have come a bit too early for his liking. Younes Kaboul is expected to be fit for this game and may even get his chance in the starting line-up on Saturday.
Expected Line-ups:
Chelsea:
Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic, Willian, Oscar, Pedro; Costa
Sunderland:
Pantilimon; Jones, O’Shea, Kaboul; Yedlin, M’Vila, Toivonen, Van Aanholt; Borini, Defoe, Watmore
Key Battles:
Willian vs Van Aanholt
Willian has been by far the best player for Chelsea this season. His movements inside the final third are a headache to any defense and in this game, the responsibility to keep the Brazilian quite will be in the hands of Van Aanholt. The three centre back system that Allardyce is likely to use will give him extra support at the back and may frustrate the winger.
Jermain Defoe vs Nemanja Matic:
The Sunderland team will surely sit back and try to frustrate the hosts and try to hit them on the counter. Jermain Defoe who will be expecting a call back into the squad will be an important asset in such a game plan. His pace and skill will surely test the Chelsea team and Nemanja Matic will be up against it on Saturday. Matic should be careful to not allow him too much space to into as Defoe can hurt them if he is given time on the ball.
Betting Odds:
Chelsea: 1/3
Draw: 9/2
Sunderland: 19/2
Prediction:
Jose Mourinho accused his players of betraying him in the post match press conference after the loss to Leicester. It will be interesting to see how the players respond to the sacking of the manager who was getting more and more agitated with the squad. Allardyce has vowed to pull Chelsea into the relegation battle in his press statement and may well frustrate them with his game play at the Bridge. It will not be easy for the Blues to take all three points from the game.
Our Prediction:
Chelsea 1-1 Sunderland