English Premier League - Match Preview: Chelsea vs. Sunderland
After a steadying win on Wednesday against local rivals Fulham, Chelsea welcome Sunderland on Sunday evening in the English Premier League. Sunderland will be looking to restore pride on their visit to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea
hit 7 past them during last season’s encounter.
The best news for Chelsea about Wednesday night’s win over Fulham, other than the three points, was the clean sheet. It was the 8th in the league this season for goalkeeper Petr Cech in all competitions. The Czech keeper
is close to setting a new all-time club record of consecutive clean sheets for Chelsea.
As much credit should go to the back four who have defended outstandingly this season. Chelsea's have conceded only 5 goals this season, the lowest tally in the Premier League. The Blues’ defensive record is the finest among Europe's
top leagues. Although Spanish side Real Madrid match Chelsea's conceded goal count (5 goals), they have played 2 fewer games.
Although Sunderland let in 7 goals at the Bridge back in January, their form this season is much better. They have emerged victorious against Manchester City and Aston Villa and drawn with Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool,
and Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea will miss their midfield duo of Michael Essien and Frank Lampard for the clash on Sunday. Essien was shown a direct red card for a tackle on Clinton Dempsey during the final minutes of the game against Fulham. Essien now
faces a 3-match suspension and will miss Chelsea’s trip to Birmingham City and Newcastle United.
England international Frank Lampard will also sit out the match due to a muscle injury he suffered during training on Thursday. The industrious midfielder is likely to be out of action for at least 2 to 3 weeks.
Manger Carlo Ancelotti said, “Frank is not fit. He had a problem during the session. He had done a fantastic session yesterday but then had an abductor problem. We have to wait for him. I think he will be out for three weeks, until
December. It is not what we wanted because we hoped to use him with Michael Essien suspended, but now we cannot. Frank had a problem with his adductor. He does not need surgery.”
Chelsea will be without Ray Wilkins in the dugout for the first time, after the assistant manager's association with the west-Londoners was abruptly ended after the win over Fulham. His departure comes as a real shock, considering
Ancelotti was a great admirer of the Englishman. While asserting Ray’s importance to the team, Carlo in his autobiography, mentioned the club "couldn't have won a thing without him".
However, Chelsea will be boosted by the comeback news of their prolific striker Nicolas Anelka. The French striker missed the last match due to a back problem. Brazilian defender Alex is also fit to return
after recovering from a knee injury.
Sunderland will be without their top scorer Darren Bent, however Ghanaian star Asamoah Gyan will prove to be an able replacement. The African is in hot goal-scoring form and has netted in 3 goals in previous
2 league games.
Manchester United’s draw at Villa Park on Saturday means the English Champions can extend their lead at the top of the table to 6 points. Title contenders Arsenal also feature on Sunday against Everton FC; the Gunners are currently
5 points behind the Blues.
Chelsea will be hoping for a 12th consecutive Premier League victory against the Black Cats, since last dropping points in 2001.
Chelsea’s probable starting 11: Petr Cech, Jose Bosingwa, Alex, Jon Terry, Ashley Cole, Yuri Zhirkov, John Obi Mikel, Ramires, Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda.
Sunderland’s probable starting 11: Simon Mignolet, Ahmad Elmohamady, Nedum Onuoha, Titus Bramble, Michael Turner, Jordan Henderson, Steed Malbranque, Lee Cattermole, Kieren Richardson, Asamoah
Gyan, Daniel Welbeck.
Match Prediction: Chelsea will be trying to keep a high tempo from the start, and get the home fans going by scoring an early goal. Final Score: 3-0.
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