After a shocking end to 2011, Chelsea have managed to start 2012 with two wins and they will be keen to make it three out of three against Sunderland.
Good news for Chelsea as John Terry and Daniel Sturridge are both fit, the latter’s trickery could be key if the Blues are to win.
Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba are both away at the African Cup of Nations, and the trio of Branislav Ivanovic, John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien all miss out.
Florent Malouda faces a late fitness test, he is doubtful but could feature.
Saturday’s visitors are waiting to find out if Nicklas Bendtner can feature, and the same goes for Phil Bardsley and Connor Wickham.
Centre backs Titus Bramble and Wes Brown will both miss out.
Head-to-head
The last three games at the Bridge between the two teams has provided lots of goals. Last season is one to forget, after the fans witnessed their team get humiliated 3-0 – fortunately all three scorers (Onuoha, Gyan and Welbeck) won’t be playing.
On January 16th 2010, it was a much more enjoyable day as Chelsea hammered Sunderland 7-2 and in November 2008, the Blues won 5-0.
Sunderland also won at Stamford Bridge back in 2001 when despite the Blues taking the lead twice they lost 4-2.
Betting
For an outright win Chelsea are 2/5 and in-form Sunderland are 8s.
The game should provide goals, for the conservative amongst you over 2.5 goals is 8/11and over 3.5 is 6/4.
Sturridge is favourite to score first at evens, Fernando Torres is likely to start and is 11/10 to score first and Juan Mata is 7/4.
The impressive Ramires is 22/10 to score at anytime, and he could be worth backing.
By Scott Balaam
Twitter @AStamBridge2Far
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