Chelsea travel to the North East this Wednesday to see if they can make it 10 wins from 10 in the Premier League, with a win against Sunderland.
Sunderland currently sit bottom of the league, having lost 3-0 to fellow strugglers Swansea City on Saturday, and David Moyes’ men now face the Blues, who currently sit three points clear at the top of the table.
The Black cats are missing a host of big names from their side at the moment, with youngsters Lynden Gooch, Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore all long-term injury concerns.
Midfield hardman Lee Cattermole will also be missing, while Fabio Borini and Jack Rodwell are not going to recover in time for the midweek encounter.
Chelsea, on the other hand, will still be without captain John Terry, and Brazilian midfielder Oscar for the trip to the Stadium of Light. The Brazilian is being linked with a move to the Chinese Super League.
Last season Sunderland came from behind to beat The Blues 3-2, with veteran forward Jermain Defoe scoring the winner, as disgraced England manager dragged them out of yet another relegation battle.
Diego Costa, Nemanja Matic and a superb Wahbi Khazri goal made for a thoroughly entertaining if not frustrating spectacle.
While only a win for Sunderland would be good enough to possibly see them escape the relegation zone.
Chelsea know that a draw at a boogie ground of late would still see them hang on to the top spot, although a win will, of course, be expected.
