PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: SUNDERLAND V CHELSEA
TACTICAL BRIEF
On the back of a hefty victory Chelsea seek a first league win since Tottenham away. Clive Walker, who played for Chelsea and Sunderland, tells us what to expect.
Key battles
'One thing is for certain it will be absolutely freezing! I worked out very quickly after signing there that it's not when the wind blows, but how hard!' he says.
'The people who trained at Chelsea's old training ground Harlington talk about wind. They have no idea what it is like to train in north Sunderland by the North Sea. I can see a high gloves count.
'The Chelsea boys will be battling the elements but I think the crowd on this occasion will be a little more subdued than normal because of the run they've been on. We need to keep them that way.
'Sunderland are hovering a point above the relegation zone. Martin O'Neill's initial good start has gone and they've struggled really all season.
'That provides an opportunity for us to act on the positives from Wednesday night's game. Fernando Torres managed the most attempts on goal in his Chelsea career: nine in that game.
'I said this in the TV commentary - when we realised Juve were 1-0 up and it looked like we were going out - that match was about racking up goals and building confidence. Rafael Benitez got his first win and it was a healthy one.
'Eden Hazard was buzzing down the flanks again, using his pace. I like to think he can do exactly the same at Sunderland but he didn't have a great deal of defending to do against the Danes. That's a difference.
'When he does have to drop deep and help out, that is another time he can be at his most effective, running with speed from deep - that's when he looks at his best.
'Benitez likes the shifts that Victor Moses puts in and he seems to like Hazard and Moses to stay wide. Both players like to come inside and we might be seeing the players learning things, adapting.
'Of course we have to cope with the suspension to Mikel. You could argue that's why the manager tried out David Luiz in centre midfield for the last part of the game against Nordsjaelland. That could be an option.
'Frank Lampard is available and I'm sure Rafa would love a player of his experience and quality back in the side, but has indicated Frank will be a sub. He is not ready to start yet.
'If David Luiz stays in the back four we keep it settled, against a Sunderland attack that may well be without their key man Steven Fletcher.
'He suffered an ankle injury and is being given a late fitness test. He would be a big miss as he scores goals and there's only a handful of sides who have scored fewer than Sunderland. Connor Wickham is a powerful forward but doesn't quite carry the same threat on goal.
'They've been playing a 4-4-1-1 system and Stéphane Sessègnon (pictured below) has often looked quick and sharp behind Fletcher.
'Chelsea can exploit the fact they usually play with a high defensive line that sometimes becomes a wavy line. They have Simon Mignolet in goal who can play brilliantly but is liable to make the odd howler and I wonder how that can make defenders a little wary.
'They will want to close Chelsea's creative players down quickly, much like West Ham did. Lee Cattermole is ruled out and they will miss his presence there.
'We need to be aware of raiding full-back Danny Rose, who was probably their best player in the defeat at Norwich, and the wingers James McClean and Adam Johnson.
'I still have contacts up there of course but have not heard much from them lately, probably because of this bad run. I bet they hated seeing Chelsea bang in six goals this week - it was only a few seasons back we put seven past them at the Bridge.
'Hopefully we will take some Wednesday's spirit into the game and maintain the positivity and concentration over both halves.'
Squad fitness news
Frank Lampard returns to the squad but John Terry (knee) and Daniel Sturridge (hamstring) are still out.
Sunderland have doubts over defender John O'Shea (calf) and striker Steven Fletcher (ankle). Captain Lee Cattermole is out for two months with a knee injury.