Sunderland vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 preview, English Premier League
English Premier League giants Chelsea travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland, their first fixture after the international break. The Blues will be looking to catch up with Manchester United and Manchester City, having fallen behind them at
the beginning of the new season. While both the Manchester sides have gone on to win all their fixtures, Chelsea drew their opening game against Stoke City, putting them two points behind.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted Manchester United and City had great starts to the season, scoring a lot of goals, especially in their fixtures before the international break. While Manchester City defeated Tottenham Hotspur 5-1, Manchester United
delivered an 8-2 thrashing to London side http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429. However, the Portuguese manager was confident his side could catch up.
Villas-Boas said:
“Good for them. They've scored a lot of goals and that's good for British football. We just hope to score one more than the opponents.”
Despite Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal having been in terrible form so far, Villas-Boas said he was not going to rule out any of the top five teams. He revealed he expected tough competition from all the sides who were hoping to secure a spot in the top four,
for a spot in next seasons UEFA Champions League. Villas-Boas will be hoping his side, who are clear favourites, don’t stumble against the Black Cats today.
He continued:
“We've discussed this before. There are five teams challenging. I wouldn't be stupid enough to leave Tottenham out and it's not impossible they can join the group and challenge.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland are confident going into the game against Chelsea, especially since they are hosting the match. One of the many new arrivals at the club during the summer transfer window, John O’Shea revealed he was certain his new side would do well
against one of the best teams in the Premier League. The former Manchester United defender recalled the Black Cat’s trip to Chelsea last season.
O’Shea said while speaking to reporters:
“I remember watching last season's game at Stamford Bridge on TV, and Sunderland were fantastic.
It was a fantastic display and the confidence and ability they showed against such a strong team means they should hold no fears coming into the game this weekend.”
Team news
Sunderland
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has a bit of an injury crisis in defence, the departure of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rangers-c40314 and O’Shea’s unavailability due to injuries leaves him with Titus Bramble. He will partner Wes Brown in the centre, with Phil Bardsley
and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kieran-Richardson-c20946 also expected to be given starts.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Asamoah-Gyan-c6791, the Ghanaian striker who was linked with a move away from Sunderland
in the summer transfer window.
Chelsea
The return of first choice goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 or Ivanovic.
The rest of the defence will most likely remain unchanged, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ramires-c30523 are to start in the midfield.
The attacking force is to consist of Juan Mata, the Spaniard who scored on his debut for the Blues against West Bromwich Albion before international duty, Nicolas Anelka and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044 remains sidelined after suffering
from a horrific head injury.
Possible line-ups
Sunderland
Simon Mignolet; Wes Brown, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Phil-Bardsley-c29900; Lee Cattermole, Craig Gardner, Sebastian Larsson, Jack Colback, Stephane Sessegnon; Asamoah Gyan.
Chelsea
Petr Cech; John Terry, Alex, Ashley Cole, Jose Bosingwa; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicolas-Anelka-c27786, Fernando Torres.
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