Sunderland vs Chelsea. Premier League.
Stadium of LightAttendance47,050.
Saturday 7 May 2016 13:55, UK
Sunderland attempt to take a step closer to Premier League survival when they host Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Newcastle's win over Crystal Palace last weekend sent Sunderland into the relegation zone, but Jermain Defoe's last-gasp penalty at Stoke - his 17th goal of the season and 11th away from home - means they trail their neighbours by a single point rather than two.
After ending Tottenham's Premier League title challenge on Monday, Chelsea can have a major influence on events at the other end of the table. Newcastle United and Norwich will hope last year's champions can maintain the level of desire they showed against Spurs.
The Blues have only pride to play for after a disastrous title defence and underwhelming Champions League campaign and head into the game having won 19 and lost just two of their last 22 Premier League games against Sunderland.
Team news
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has only one injury doubt as he prepares for Saturday's clash.
Full-back Billy Jones has been hampered by a hip problem this week and could miss out, although he has not started a game since the beginning of February.
However, Allardyce could make changes after fielding the same side for the last five games and losing only once, but also winning just once with the Black Cats having slipped back into the relegation zone last weekend.
Thibaut Courtois will be available following his two-match suspension.
Courtois could displace Asmir Begovic in goal, but Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink is not planning wholesale changes to honour the integrity of the competition, as Sunderland battle to avoid relegation.
Striker Loic Remy (groin) and defender Kurt Zouma (knee) are out.
Opta stats
Sunderland have lost nine of their last 11 home Premier League games against Chelsea (D2). They last beat the Blues in October 2000 at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have failed to score in their last three Premier League games at home. Only once in Premier League history have they gone four on home soil without finding the net, back in December 2005.
Chelsea have won six and lost just one of their last nine Premier League away matches, conceding just four times in that run.
Allardyce's side have won just one of their last nine league games (D6 L2). Cesc Fabregas has scored four Premier League goals against Sunderland, his joint-best haul against any opponent (along with Everton).
Just three of Defoe's 14 goals for the Black Cats in the Premier League this season have been scored at the Stadium of Light.
Former Blues forward Fabio Borini has scored in two of his three Premier League appearances against Chelsea for Sunderland.
A league-high 19 different players have scored for Chelsea in the Premier League this season. Sunderland have netted a league-low two headed goals this season (both courtesy of Steven Fletcher, who has since moved to Marseille).
Merson's predictions
This is massive, and I'm predicting Sunderland to win this. I say that because Chelsea had their cup final on Monday, and now a lot of players will have their eyes on the Euros. If Sunderland can come out and start getting stuck in early on, make it a real cup tie if you like, a lot of the Chelsea players will have one eye on the summer.
Sunderland should have more fight about them, Chelsea put most of theirs into Monday, and I wouldn't be surprised if a few players are rested. It's so much more important for Sunderland.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Betting
Sky Bet make Chelsea 7/5 with Sunderland 9/5 to get the win that could keep their survival hopes alive, while the draw is at 5/2. Jermain Defoe has recently scored some vital goals for Sunderland, including the equaliser against Stoke, and Sky Bet have enhanced his first goalscorer odds from 4/1 to 5/1 as Charlie Nicholas' Price Boosted tip. See all the odds and pundit tips here.
