Sunderland
attempt to take a step closer to Premier League survival when they host
Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Newcastle's win over Crystal Palace last weekend sent Sunderland into the
relegation zone, but Jermain Defoe's last-gasp penalty at Stoke - his 17th
goal of the season and 11th away from home - means they trail their
neighbours by a single point rather than two.
After ending Tottenham's Premier League title challenge on Monday, Chelsea
can have a major influence on events at the other end of the table.
Newcastle United and Norwich will hope last year's champions can maintain
the level of desire they showed against Spurs.
The Blues have only pride to play for after a disastrous title defence and
underwhelming Champions League campaign and head into the game having won 19
and lost just two of their last 22 Premier League games against Sunderland.
Team news
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has only one injury doubt as he prepares for
Saturday's clash.
Full-back Billy Jones has been hampered by a hip problem this week and could
miss out, although he has not started a game since the beginning of
February.
However, Allardyce could make changes after fielding the same side for the
last five games and losing only once, but also winning just once with the
Black Cats having slipped back into the relegation zone last weekend.
Thibaut Courtois will be available following his two-match suspension.
Courtois could displace Asmir Begovic in goal, but Chelsea interim boss Guus
Hiddink is not planning wholesale changes to honour the integrity of the
competition, as Sunderland battle to avoid relegation.
Striker Loic Remy (groin) and defender Kurt Zouma (knee) are out.
Opta stats
Sunderland have lost nine of their last 11 home Premier League games against
Chelsea (D2). They last beat the Blues in October 2000 at the Stadium of
Light.
Sunderland have failed to score in their last three Premier League games at
home. Only once in Premier League history have they gone four on home soil
without finding the net, back in December 2005.
Chelsea have won six and lost just one of their last nine Premier League
away matches, conceding just four times in that run.
Allardyce's side have won just one of their last nine league games (D6 L2).
Cesc Fabregas has scored four Premier League goals against Sunderland, his
joint-best haul against any opponent (along with Everton).
Just three of Defoe's 14 goals for the Black Cats in the Premier League this
season have been scored at the Stadium of Light.
Former Blues forward Fabio Borini has scored in two of his three Premier
League appearances against Chelsea for Sunderland.
A league-high 19 different players have scored for Chelsea in the Premier
League this season. Sunderland have netted a league-low two headed goals
this season (both courtesy of Steven Fletcher, who has since moved to
Marseille).
Merson's predictions
This is massive, and I'm predicting Sunderland to win this. I say that
because Chelsea had their cup final on Monday, and now a lot of players will
have their eyes on the Euros. If Sunderland can come out and start getting
stuck in early on, make it a real cup tie if you like, a lot of the Chelsea
players will have one eye on the summer.
Sunderland should have more fight about them, Chelsea put most of theirs
into Monday, and I wouldn't be surprised if a few players are rested. It's
so much more important for Sunderland.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
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