All eyes will be upon a Chelsea team looking to rebuild from crisis as Sunderland travel to Stamford Bridge tomorrow night.
The reigning Premier League champions will enter the match sitting 16th on the table and a mere 48 hours after sacking infamous manager Jose Mourinho. Last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Leicester was not only the final straw for the ‘Special One’, but also a demoralising outing for the team as little threat was generated near goal and key playmaker Eden Hazard was taken out early, with many reports suggesting that the Belgian effectively took himself off with a faked hip injury. The former Netherlands national coach Guus Hiddink seems the likely favourite to be on the sidelines in an interim role, in a match where the Blues need to show some certainty above all else.
This situation makes a visit to the home of the champions far less daunting than one would expect for a Sunderland side in the middle of their own relegation battle. The appointment of survival specialist Sam Allardyce has yet to fully take hold, with surprise wins against the likes of Crystal Palace and Stoke City balanced out by thrashings at the hands of Everton and Arsenal. As with any side facing the drop, the New Year period is critical and a statement against the wounded Blues would be a better Christmas present than any for the Mackem faithful.
9 – Mourinho's Chelsea have lost to 9 different PL opponents in 15/16, the same number they lost to in the whole of his 1st spell. Special.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 16, 2015
Key Battle – Willan vs Patrick van Aanholt
A caretaker manager for this match will undoubtedly bring some changes to the lineup, however, one man Chelsea cannot be without is Willian. The Brazilian has been the only member on the team to show any consistent intent, while his abilities from a free-kick should no longer warrant a warning. Willian has shown all the ability to charge at the opposition defenders and carry the ball into the box, yet every week there has been a lack of deadly targets willing to take advantage of the tap-in opportunities.
Also a figure of consistency in a rough period, Patrick van Aanholt will be tasked with keeping a forward line which will want to make statements quiet, but in recent weeks the Dutchman has arguably been the one creating most of Sunderland’s attacking momentum. Distributing the ball with pinpoint accuracy from the back, then also making the overlapping run on the wing, van Aanholt has a goal and an assist to his name so far this season. The out of sorts Branislav Ivanovic will be given no respect on the right and will have another test on his hands.
Team News
With a new face set to make the selections there is an element of unpredictability when it comes to this weekend’s Chelsea lineup. Hazard looks likely to be left out of the squad, whether or not his injury was genuine and while his is the only immediate concern, every player should be wary in a period of transition.
Sam Allardyce’s squad may be boosted by the return of defending figurehead Younes Kaboul from illness, although they will equally miss the services of Sebastian Coates, who has been ruled out of the trip to London. Lee Cattermole and Sebastian Larsson also remain on the injury list, however, much of the same lineup that faced Watford last week will stay in place.
Head-to-head
Chelsea and Sunderland face each other for the 110th time tomorrow night, with the history books only showing a relatively slight edge to the Blues, with 54 wins compared to 36. 19 games have ended in a draw.
Previous Meeting
The last result between the two illustrates just how far Chelsea have fallen over the year, with a 3-1 home victory the final step before Jose Mourinho and his squad lifted the 2014-15 Premier League trophy. Diego Costa scored early, before a Loic Remy second-half brace were the beginnings of the type of celebratory day the Blues have rarely seen since.
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Prediction
There has been no telling bad Chelsea’s results can be this season and in the wake of Mourinho’s sacking, a shock upset by the Black Cats cannot be ruled out at the slightest. However, Sunderland have been on the same path toward a relegation battle and will ultimately find that the grounds of Stamford Bridge provide no Christmas solace.
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