Chelsea vs Sunderland live streaming: April 19, 2014 - Watch evening game

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The title race heats up as league bottomers Sunderland face Chelsea in a Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, the 19th of April.

Preview: Sunderland hoping to cause another upset

The Black Cats pulled off a stunning upset as they held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw last time out, thereby putting the Citizen’s title challenge in jeopardy. Fernandinho opened up the scoring for the home side in the second minute and City seemed likely to grab all three points until a quick double fire from young Connor Wickham put Sunderland in the lead.

Gus Poyet’s men held the lead well until Vito Mannone’s howler gifted Man City a very important point which should come in handy by the end of the season.

For Sunderland on the other hand fixture’s cannot come more difficult with the Black Cats now scheduled to face Chelsea at their own backyard and considering Chelsea’s incredible record at home a victory might be difficult to come for Sunderland.

Gus Poyet’s men have not won a match in their last ten games and are the team most likely to be demoted to England’s second tier football league. Before their match against City, the Black Cats had lost five consecutive games a streak which has put them bottom in the league table. However following the game against Chelsea, Sunderland have relatively easier fixtures to follow and despite all their woes Sunderland will be hoping to finish out of the bottom three and regain their position in the Barclays Premier League.

Chelsea on the other hand will be in a buoyant mood following a string of favorable results. After losing two consecutive matches against Crystal Palace and PSG, the Blues set the record straight with three successive wins and during the course cemented their position in the last four of the Champions League. Chelsea have fared well in European competitions in recent times and will be hoping to taste success again this season, but Jose Mourinho’s men will be upbeat of their chances in the Premier League a competition they last won four years back in the 2009-2010 season.

The Blues made it to the top of the table this season but foolishly lost the lead, however assistant manager Steve Holland has claimed that Chelsea will do everything possible to not repeat the mistake and finish the season as Champions of England. The 43 year old further claimed that the experience in the Chelsea squad will allow them to achieve their targets this season.

"First, second and third position are possible for all three teams at the top. It is very close. This is a club that is used to playing a lot of matches at this stage of the season. It is a really challenging period, not just physically — that's obvious — but emotionally too. I think experience is always vital in any competition. We have a good blend in our squad,” he said.

Chelsea’s second in command also insisted the importance of Chelsea’s fixture against Liverpool next week which he claimed will be a title decider, but Chelsea’s assistant manager was also quick to highlight the importance of the upcoming match against Sunderland.

"This game tomorrow is of huge importance. I don't believe the title will be decided by our match with Liverpool. Tomorrow will be a very difficult game that we have to approach in a very professional manner. The objection for this club is to be competing for major honors at the business end of the season. Thankfully we are."

Eden Hazard who has been missing since Chelsea’s victory against PSG in the second leg of the quarter-final, is expected to remain on the sidelines Holland confirmed.

"Hazard is not definitely out for Tuesday but he hasn't trained with the squad yet which means he's a major doubt," Holland told reporters.

Gus Poyet spent four years as a player at Chelsea from 1997-2001, but the former Chelsea man will be expecting no favors when he returns to Stamford Bridge, a venue where he established a cult hero status during his playing years.

The Uruguayan will have a horrendous task at hand to get the better of Chelsea, with the Blues having lost just once against their counterparts on Saturday in their last 18 league meetings. Last time Sunderland scored a league victory over Chelsea was back in November 2010, when the Black Cats scored a convincing 3-0 win at the Stamford Bridge.

However Sunderland have given Chelsea a run for their money in both the meetings between the two sides this season. They last time the two sides met was in the Capital One Cup and a scintillating encounter between the two sides ended in Sunderland’s favor as Sung-Yong Ki scored in the dying moments of extra time after Fabio Borini equalized for the Black Cats in the 88th minute.

Their last league meeting on the other hand ended in a seven goal thriller, with Chelsea emerging victorious by a 4-3 score line as Eden Hazard struck twice.

Sunderland will have to do the job without midfielder Liam Bridcutt who will continue to miss due to personal reasons, whereas Steven Fletcher (ankle) and Carlos Cuellar (knock) remain doubtful. Goalkeeper Keiren Westwood on the other hand will remain on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury.

Chelsea’ only injury concern is their main man Eden Hazard who has been ruled out for the Sunderland game, but might be available for the European clash against Atletico Madrid.