Played
December 8, 2012 10:00 AM EST
Stadium of Light — Sunderland
Referee: M. Halsey
Attendance: 39273
December 8, 2012 10:00 AM EST
Stadium of Light — Sunderland
Referee: M. Halsey
Attendance: 39273
Premier League Preview: Sunderland - Chelsea
Having picked up their first victory under their interim boss in the Champions League, the west London club travels to the Stadium of Light looking for a much-needed three points.
By Chris Teale
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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SUNDERLAND
 Mignolet Bardsley, Kilgallon, Cueller, Rose Larsson, Gardner, Johnson, McClean Sessegnon Fletcher |
CHELSEA
 Cech Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole Ramires, Romeu Mata, Oscar, Hazard Torres |
Black Cats striker Steven Fletcher was withdrawn at half time during their loss to Norwich last time out with an ankle knock, but should be fit to start this game.
John O’Shea’s recovery from a calf problem is going slightly slower than expected, but he may be fit to make the bench for this game. Otherwise, Sunderland have no new concerns, with Wes Brown (knee) and Lee Cattermole (knee) remaining long-term absentees.
For the Blues, John Obi Mikel begins a three-match suspension for using threatening or abusive words against referee Mark Clattenburg after Chelsea’s game against Manchester United in October.
Stalwarts John Terry (knee) and Frank Lampard (calf) are both on the road to recovery from injuries, but this game will probably come too soon for both of them. Daniel Sturridge’s recovery from a hamstring problem is ongoing, but he will also miss this game.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Sunderland has only won one game at home all season in the Premier League, with that victory coming against Wigan on Sept. 29.
- The Black Cats have only had five different goalscorers in the league this term, with Scot Steven Fletcher being the only player that scored for them other than a Demba Ba own goal until Nov. 10.
- Sunderland only adopted its nickname of the Black Cats in 1997 after suggestions were sent in by fans, with the name coming from the so-called “Black Cat” gun battery stationed on the River Wear in 1805.
- Chelsea has won its last five games at the Stadium of Light, scoring 13 goals in the process.
- Last season, the Blues won both games between these sides by a margin of just one goal in each match.
- Fernando Torres (pictured, right) attempted nine shots in Chelsea’s Champions League match against FC Nordsjelland, the most he has ever attempted in a game for the Blues.
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Sunderland 0-2 Chelsea
- 14.79 %
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Sunderland 1-3 Chelsea
- 14.43 %
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Sunderland 0-3 Chelsea
- 11.41 %
| English Premier League (EPL) (EPL) | Apr 7, 2013 | Chelsea 2 - Sunderland 1 |
|
| English Premier League (EPL) (EPL) | Dec 8, 2012 | Sunderland 1 - Chelsea 3 |
|
| English Premier League (EPL) (EPL) | Jan 14, 2012 | Chelsea 1 - Sunderland 0 |
|
| English Premier League (EPL) (EPL) | Sep 10, 2011 | Sunderland 1 - Chelsea 2 |
|
| English Premier League (EPL) (EPL) | Feb 1, 2011 | Sunderland 2 - Chelsea 4 |
|
Sunderland
     |
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| May 19, 2013 | Tottenham 1 - Sunderland 0 | EPL |
| May 12, 2013 | Sunderland 1 - Southampton 1 | EPL |
| May 6, 2013 | Sunderland 1 - Stoke 1 | EPL |
| Apr 29, 2013 | Aston Villa 6 - Sunderland 1 | EPL |
| Apr 20, 2013 | Sunderland 1 - Everton 0 | EPL |
Chelsea
 |
||
| May 25, 2013 | Manchester City 5 - Chelsea 3 | FR |
| May 23, 2013 | Chelsea 3 - Manchester City 4 | FR |
| May 19, 2013 | Chelsea 2 - Everton 1 | EPL |
| May 15, 2013 | Benfica 1 - Chelsea 2 | EL |
| May 11, 2013 | Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea 2 | EPL |
| 22 | Simon Mignolet | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Phil Bardsley | Defender |
| 16 | John O'Shea | Defender |
| 24 | Carlos Javier Cuéllar | Defender |
| 25 | Danny Rose | Midfielder |
| 7 | Sebastian Larsson | Midfielder |
| 8 | Craig Gardner | Midfielder |
| 11 | Adam Johnson | Midfielder |
| 23 | James McClean | Midfielder |
| 28 | Stéphane Sessegnon | Midfielder |
| 10 | Connor Wickham | Striker |
| 20 | Keiren Westwood | Goalkeeper |
| 27 | Matthew Kilgallon | Defender |
| 19 | Titus Bramble | Defender |
| 14 | Jack Colback | Midfielder |
| 15 | David Vaughan | Midfielder |
| 25 | Fraizer Campbell | Striker |
| 8 | Louis Saha | Striker |
| 1 | Petr Cech | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Branislav Ivanovic | Defender |
| 3 | Ashley Cole | Defender |
| 4 | David Luiz | Defender |
| 24 | Gary Cahill | Defender |
| 6 | Oriol Romeu | Midfielder |
| 7 | Ramires | Midfielder |
| 13 | Victor Moses | Midfielder |
| 17 | Eden Hazard | Midfielder |
| 9 | Fernando Torres | Striker |
| 10 | Juan Mata | Striker |
| 22 | Ross Turnbull | Goalkeeper |
| 19 | Paulo Ferreira | Defender |
| 28 | César Azpilicueta | Defender |
| 34 | Ryan Bertrand | Defender |
| 8 | Frank Lampard | Midfielder |
| 11 | Oscar | Midfielder |
| 21 | Marko Marin | Midfielder |
Results
Times In EST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man United |
26 | 3 |
|
Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
