Sunderland vs Chelsea
England Premier League.
Date: Wednesday, 14th December 2016,
Kick-off at 19:45 UK.
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland.
England Premier League.
Date: Wednesday, 14th December 2016,
Kick-off at 19:45 UK.
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland.
Chelsea are set to be without playmaker Eden Hazard when they seek a 10th Premier League win in a row at Sunderland on Wednesday.
We understand that the Belgium international, who has been in impressive form so far this season, picked up a knock in Sunday's 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion.
Hazard was replaced by Branislav Ivanovic with 11 minutes to go at Stamford Bridge and has stayed at the club's training ground in Cobham to receive treatment on the problem.
However, when questioned on Hazard's unavailability against Sunderland, Chelsea declined to comment.
Diego Costa was on target against the Baggies as the Blues extended their winning streak on the weekend and Antonio Conte's side can go six points clear of the chasing pack by collecting another victory at the Stadium of Light.
At the other end of the table, Sunderland have won three of their last five matches, but slipped back to the bottom after a 3-0 defeat at Swansea on Saturday.
"We've been there for most of it so it's not something new to us," said manager David Moyes afterwards.
"But we aren't back at square one, because we've got ourselves back in with a fighting chance and a few weeks ago we didn't have that."
Sunderland have won their last two home games in the league, and haven't won three in a row at the Stadium of Light since February 2012.
Fabio Borini (groin) and Jack Rodwell (hamstring) are also unavailable and Didier N'Dong misses the match through suspension.
Chelsea could have defender John Terry available after a month out, but Hazard misses out with injury.
Sunderland vs Chelsea: Head to Head Statistics
Chelsea and Sunderland have been on loggerhead a total of 111 times and the Blues have won 55 games as against 37 wins for the Black Cats. In home matches, have won 28 games at home against Chelsea, they gave lost 18 to Chelsea and drawn 10.
The last game between the two teams at the Stadium of Light ended 3-2 win for the Black Cats. This helps Sunderland to stay unbeaten in the last two Premier League home games against Chelsea. However, Chelsea were victorious in the 9 consecutive visits to the Stadium of Light prior to that.
Sunderland vs Chelsea: Prediction
It is pretty evident that Chelsea are a team with growing confidence with every matchday. Coming on the back of 6 straight wins with 4 clean sheets to their name, the Blues will prove too hot to handle for a struggling Sunderland.
The Black Cats could play an ultra-defensive game like they did against Liverpool two weeks ago. Expect them not to score here, so Chelsea to win without conceding is the best bet for this match.
Sunderland vs Chelsea: Bet Tips
Chelsea to win to nil at 2.20 (11/10)
Correct Score: 2-0 win for Chelsea at 8.00 (7/1).
