On Monday, Chelsea saw their 16-match unbeaten streak snapped as they lost 3-0 to West Brom on the road. Whilst the game had no impact on the Blues, who have already secured the Premier League title, fans nonetheless were not impressed with the team's display. As such, they will hope they can finish this campaign on a high note by taking care of Sunderland at Stamford Bridge later today in what will likely be a party atmosphere from kick-off to conclusion.
The Black Cats, who were threatened with relegation, have now secured Premier League football for next season by frustrating Chelsea's city rivals Arsenal in their most recent fixture. It has been a tough season for the team, who saw Gus Poyet sacked and Dick Advocaat handed the unenviable task of making sure they would not be featuring in the Championship in the 2015/2016 campaign.
Despite the gulf dividing these two teams, with Chelsea enjoying over double the points of Sunderland's total of 38, recent results between them tell a whole other story. The last fixture ended as a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light earlier this season and in fact, the Black Cats' last win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was as recent as April 19, 2014, when goals from Connor Wickham and Fabio Borini were enough to cancel out an early effort from Samuel Eto'o.
But if Sunderland fans are thinking their team's prospects at finishing the season with a win are quite good, they may want to think again. The visitors have only won one out of their thirteen final Premier League games to date. And, under Jose Mourinho, the hosts have not lost two consecutive league matches after clinching the title since May 2006, meaning that statistically, their loss versus West Brom does not necessarily mean the same will happen against Sunderland.
Meanwhile, although it's the end of the season, Blues fans will still be concerned with the fitness situation of one of their star players:
Jose Mourinho says he hopes Eden Hazard can be involved on Sunday but he is not sure if he can. Diego Costa will play again. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 22, 2015
According to reports, the Belgian international had to undergo emergency dental surgery for a widsom teeth problem. Despite having won their first title in five seasons, there is another reason for Chelsea hoping to avoid a loss: with 84 points, they would become only the second champions in the past 12 seasons to finish a season with less than 86. The last team to do this was Manchester United back during the 2010/2011 campaign, with the Red Devils collecting a total of 80.
Diego Costa, who has netted 19 times, will also hope to find the back of the net. Although the top scorer crown is well out of his hands after missing games due to injury and suspension, the Brazilian-born Spanish attacker can still set a milestone should he score against Sunderland this afternoon.
Should Costa score, he will become the fourth Chelsea player to hit 20 goals in a season
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Only Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Jimmy Hasselbaink have achieved this, with Drogba and Lampard having done it on two occasions.
Both coaches will be without the services of several players. Advocaat is still sweating over the fitness of Sebastian Larsson, who is struggling with a knee problem, and the Swede's teammates Wes Brown as well as Jordi Gomez will not make the trip with knee issues of their own. With Liam Bridcutt also joining the duo on the treatment table with an ankle injury, Advocaat could have to call up some of the youth squad to fill in.
As for Mourinho, in addition to the doubts surrounding Hazard, the Portuguese tactician will definitely be without rising star Kurt Zouma because of a knee injury as well as Brazilian duo Ramires and Oscar due to illness and a thigh strain respectively.
He also has not fully established who will start between the sticks:
Jose does not know if Petr Cech will start on Sunday but he will play some part. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 22, 2015
but like his tactical opponent, he could give some game-time to youth:
Jose Mourinho says he hopes to play both Andreas Christensen and Jeremie Boga on Sunday. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 22, 2015
Will Chelsea finish the season on a good note at Stamford Bridge? Or will Sunderland spoil their title celebrations with a win in London?
Make sure you do not miss out on what will be a Super Sunday of Premier League action!
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