Premier League: Sunderland v Chelsea match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Stadium of Light

Rafael Benitez (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea will look to put their European misery behind them when they travel to Sunderland this weekend. The west London side became the first club in history to win the Champions League and get knocked out in the group stages the following year after finishing third in Group E.

The Blues will be wanting to get their Premier League title bid back on track after a disappointing run of form which has seen them fall 10 points behind leaders Manchester United.

Sunderland have endured a frustrating start to the season and currently stand just one place and one point above the relegation zone, albeit with a game in hand over 18th place Southampton.

This will be billed as a must-win game for both sides.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

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

Sunderland 1 (Dong- Won Ji) Chelsea 2 (Terry, Sturridge), Premier League, September 2011

Sunderland 2 (Bardsley, Richardson) Chelsea 4 (Lampard, Kalou, Terry, Anelka), Premier League, February 2011

STATS…

Sunderland have a winning percentage of just 14 per cent this season.

Chelsea have won 47 per cent of their games this season in the Premier League.

Juan Mata and Fernando Torres are joint top scorers with 9 goals in all competitions.

Sunderland have won just one of their last 15 games against the Blues - their last coming in November 2010 when they won 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

ODDS…

Sunderland to win: 5

Chelsea to win: 1.82

Draw: 3.9

CLASSIC MATCH...

Chelsea suffered their heaviest defeat since Roman Abramovich had bought the club when they were thrashed at home by Sunderland in November 2010. The defeat by Sunderland was also only the fourth Chelsea have suffered at home in the Premier League in 127 games, since Arsenal won 2-1 in February 2004. Up until this match the Blues had not conceded a goal all season, but that drastically changed as goals from Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck sealed their fate.

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm