Black Cats Take On Chelsea

Could be a day of ups and downs on Saturday as Sunderland play hosts to Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.

Sam Allardyce will be hoping his players can overcome Chelsea as they are still a point behind Newcastle, but they are playing at Villa park so all things point to another Villa defeat.

Norwich are just a point behind Sunderland and two behind Newcastle, the Canaries have played the same number of games as Sunderland and they take on Manchester United at Carrow Road and anything can happen in a United game this season although the Red Devils have won four and drew on of their last five. Norwich are on a losing streak of three games on the bounce.

It’s tight, it’s exciting, it’s also stomach-churning, but I’ll have my fingers crossed.

Vital Quotes:

Sam Allardyce:“It`s very dangerous to write them off when you saw them (Norwich) in the first half at the Emirates (last weekend) create more chances than Arsenal.

“We`re all still in with a shout.

“We`ve got a similar problem to them – not converting the chances when they arrive.

“Saying that, I think Newcastle are a bit similar too.

“They had some slight fortune last weekend, where we didn`t.

“Crystal Palace missed a penalty, whereas we had a penalty denied and a goal against which shouldn`t have been allowed.

“We ended up with a draw, while Andros Townsend scored a wonder goal for Newcastle.

“It goes swings and roundabouts. Hopefully that fortune is on our side tomorrow.” (Shields Gazette)

Gus Hiddink:“Little things, not big things. I will give them the team news in the morning.

“Nothing at stake, no silverware, but there is pride and football enjoyment.

“For the teams still fighting against relegation, they deserve us to go for the win.

“I am not in for it to change a lot in the team, after making six or seven players from the academy – that would not be fair.

“No, only the usual ones.

“Given the situation, it is not fair to give serious approach to Spurs game and not the other ones.”

Sunderland Team News:

Sam Allardyce could easily stick with the same side that got a point from Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium last weekend.

Player to watch: Jan Kirchhoff

The midfielder has been named the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month for April in the Premier League.

Chelsea Team News:

Eden Hazard didn’t make the starting line up for Chelsea’s game against Tottenham, but he came on as a sub and wrote himself into Leicester City folklore.

So it’s very likely that the player will be in the starting line-up against Sunderland.

There could well be a return to action for keeper Thibaut Courtois who has been suspended for the last two games.

Player to watch: Eden Hazard

That goal against Tottenham proves that he will be one of the Spurs players to keep an eye on.

Match Facts & Stats

Sunderland

Sam Allardyce’s side have only won one of their last nine league games (D6, L2). They have scored more than one goal in just two of those matches.

Only Aston Villa have scored fewer (14) home league goals than Sunderland’s 17 this season.

Only three of Jermain Defoe’s 14 league goals this season have come at home. His best goal tally in a Premier League season is 18, for Spurs in 2009-10.

Chelsea

Chelsea have only lost two of their last 19 league games (W8, D9).
Their record of 19 points from eight away games in 2016 is the best in the division.

The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 league fixtures.

A Premier League-high 19 different players have scored for Chelsea this season.
(BBC Sport)

Ref Watch:

Referee: Michael Jones

Assistant Referees: Richard West, Mark Scholes

Fourth Official: Graham Scott.

Match Prediction:

Can’t see past a 0-0

Next Fixtures:

WED 11 MAY 2016
Sunderland v Everton – 19:45

SUN 15 MAY 2016
Watford v Sunderland – 15:00