Capital One Cup: Sunderland v Chelsea match preview

A look ahead to Tuesday’s League Cup fixture at The Stadium of Light

Branislav Ivanovic clears the ball during Chelsea's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea travel to struggling Sunderland on Tuesday night, as the home side look to end their five game winless run and put themselves into the draw for the next round.

Gus Poyet knows that a win would give his team a much needed confidence boost ahead of a busy Christmas period but the Chelsea legend knows he will have a tough job on his hands to try stop the in-form Eden Hazard, who tore Sunderland apart when the two teams met in the League earlier this month.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is without the suspended Branislav Ivanovic for the game and looks set to rotate the squad with a tough Christmas run-in coming up. The Blues will be hoping they can capitalise on Sunderland’s terrible form and heap more misery on the home side.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETING:

Sunderland 3 (Altidore, O’Shea, Bardsley) Chelsea 4 (Lampard, Hazard 2, Bardsley OG), Premier League, December 2013

Chelsea 2 (Kilgallon OG, Ivanovic) Sunderland 1 (Azpilicueta OG), Premier League , April 2013

Sunderland 1 (Johnson) Chelsea 3 (Torres 2, Mata), Premier League, December 2012

STATS:

Sunderland have failed to beat Chelsea in their last six attempts in all competitions.

Chelsea are yet to concede a goal in the competition.

This will be first time the two clubs have met in the League Cup since 1985.

Sunderland have fired in fewer shots on target than any other team in the top flight this season (37).

ODDS:

Sunderland to win: 5.8

Chelsea to win: 1.53

Draw: 3.8

CLASSIC MATCH:

On November 14 2010, league leaders Chelsea welcomed Sunderland to Stamford Bridge in a game they were expected to win comfortably. The away side however shocked the leaders and goals from Nedum Onuoha, Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck helped Sunderland on their way to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.45pm, highlights on BBC1 at 11.05pm.