Sunderland v Chelsea: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at the Stadium of Light

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho reacts during his side's 3-1 win over Southampton on Sunday (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea will be looking to close in on Arsenal this week when they face-off against struggling Sunderland.

After conceding a goal to Southampton within the first 13 seconds of play last Saturday, Chelsea went on to win 3-1 and are placed just 4 points behind leaders Arsenal. Having won 5 out of their last seven premier league matches, Jose Mourinho’s team will be confident in taking away all three points from the Stadium of Light. Sunderland, who sit just one point off the bottom of the Premier League table with 8 points, secured only their second away point of the season with a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday. However, there has been increased optimism for Sunderland under Gus Poyet in recent weeks as they have lost only one of their last 4 games, even securing a win against 3rd place Manchester City.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS

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

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

Chelsea 1 (Lampard) Sunderland 0, Premier League, January 2012

STATS…

Sunderland have scored just 12 goals in their last 14 Barclays Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light.

Chelsea have won 16 and lost one of their last 17 Barclays Premier League games against Sunderland.

Sunderland have conceded more own goals than any other Premier League team this season (3).

Chelsea have only won back to back Premier League away games once in 2013.

ODDS…

Sunderland to win: 6.5

Chelsea to win: 1.5

Draw: 4.0

TV: Highlights on Sky Sports 1 at 10pm