Chelsea vs Sunderland – Match Preview

There is undoubtedly going to be a party at Stamford Bridge this afternoon as Chelsea play host to Sunderland. It is a game of polar opposites as the champions play host to the league’s basement side, not only that though there is the small matter of the Premier League trophy presentation after the game.

Chelsea secured the title last Friday at West Brom thanks to a Michy Batshuyai goal and due to that they had the luxury of playing a near second string side against Watford on Monday. It may well have been a dead rubber but it certainly made for an interesting game.

That is because we were lucky enough to witness a 7 goal thriller in West London as Chelsea ran out 4-3 winners over Walter Mazzarri’s side, a result which ultimately proved to be the final straw for the Watford owners as they have decided to part company with the former Inter Milan boss.

Antonio Conte will more than likely name a similar fringe side today what with next weeks F.A. Cup Final still to prepare for. A Premier League title in your debut season as a manager in this country is impressive enough but the double would be an incredible feat should Conte pull off the achievement.

If it is once again a well rested side then I would anticipate that Cesar Azpilicueta plays to complete his record of playing in every minute of every league game this season, while also John Terry would more than likely be given one last send off before his Chelsea career comes to a close.

Terry scored on Monday night but minutes later was responsible for Etienne Capoue leveling the score at 1-1. Perhaps it showed that father time has caught up with this Chelsea servant and the question is now whether the former England captain calls it a day for good or moves onto pastures new.

Should he start as expected he goes up against a Sunderland who showed an element of resistance on Tuesday before finally being edged out by a second half brace from Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal went on to earn a vital win in regards to their Champions League aspirations for next season.

Sunderland were certainly stubborn and showed more resistance than in many other games and had they played like that more often this season then they would have given themselves a fighting chance of staying up this season, but unfortunately those kind of performances have been few and far between.

Jordan Pickford was kept busy and done his career prospects no harm with a string of saves that in the first half certainly frustrated Arsenal. He is arguably one of only two players to come out of this season with any real credit and along with Jermain Defoe you do have to wonder if he will still be here once the Summer transfer window closes.

Defoe has got a relegation release clause in his contract and he looks a near certainity when it comes to activating it as for Pickford though the question is whether or not he will be better suited to staying on at Sunderland or perhaps warming the bench for one the countries big clubs.

There is no denying his talent but in his formative years of his career you do have to wonder if it would make more sense for him to continue playing week in week out in the EFL Championship then opposed to getting a handful of cup games with a team that is challenging for the title.

That it is a decision that ultimately only Pickford can make but you can sure that Sunderland manager David Moyes will be ready to impart with his wisdom in a bid to keep the England Under 21 Goalkeeper on Wearside for at least another season.

It has been one to forget to Sunderland and the only thing they can hope for is that they go out with some sort of flourish but with the way that Chelsea are playing regardless of personnel I can only see one outcome and that is a win for the champions. Home win before the party for me.