Pizy

Dominant first half. Cesc was fantastic, Pedro and Willian both looked decent, Diego is working his ass off, and we're getting plenty of width from the wing backs. Really, the only way I can see Sunderland scoring is from a terrible mistake from us or from a corner. We've completely neutralized and contained them. Continue playing like that and we should win comfortably. Id bring Matic on towards the end if we're still up just to lock it down.

Completely forgot Borini and Januzaj were with Sunderland. Wonder if they'll pull out their lone great game of their season here?

Nice team. Fabregas has earned his chance to start, though I'm still concerned about him in a midfield 2. I suppose Conte feels we have enough energy and pace in the side with Costa, Willian, and Pedro ahead of him, and Kante beside him. Huge match for Fabregas. He can give Conte a serious selection headache with a big performance here.

Willian will be up for it. Maybe with Hazard out Conte will have us high pressing more since Willian is more capable doing it than Eden. Willian and Pedro should mean we'll be lightning on the break. Just hope Hazard is back for the weekend.

Honestly, we should be able to hand Sunderland quite easily without Hazard. If it's true he isn't going to play hopefully it's just a rest before the fixture pile up.

Don't bottle it, lads! Hopefully the team come out and blast them away 4-0 or something.

^ Yep, I can definitely read all that, mate!

Hmmm. Seems to be spreading like wildfire now. Looks like these journo's have been briefed by very knowledgable sources.

Don't think it's about whether we turn it down but rather if Oscar would agree to go there. I think not! He's far too good and far too young to essentially retire.

I knew Sunderland have been woeful and were in/near the relegation zone but I didn't realize until just now that they are literally rock bottom of the league. I haven't been paying any attention to that end of the table. How embarrassing would it be if we lost this one? All of those "Chelsea are only top because they don't play any midweek games" people will feel validated. Unlike West Brom, Sunderland don't have the personnel or the coaching to remain solid defensively for an entire match so I'm not as worried for this one. Biggest concerns are fatigue after yesterday (Diego looked shattered by the end of that match) the yellow card situation with many of our most important players, and David Luiz's knee. He was bullied by Rondon yesterday several times and I wonder if that's because he wasn't fully fit. Even if they do score against us I can't see them stopping us from scoring at least 2. If we approach this with the same focus and desire as the last 9 matches we should win easily. If we just look past them and think we can just show up and go through the motions to pick up 3 points we can get embarrassed. Also, I wonder if this may be the game Conte finally rotates a player or two. Maybe Cesc in for Matic or Kante and Willian for Pedro. Just to get fresh legs in the team and to throw Sunderland off. They'll be preparing for and expecting the same exact side we've been playing so surprising them with Fabregas may work a charm.

Our passing accuracy has been absolutely atrocious. Fuck me...

What a hugely annoying side they are. Park the bus, waste time, knock it to the target man.

The gulf in class and sheer talent between these two XI's is massive. I know they're in good form too, but if we're serious about this title challenge this is a match at home we should expect nothing less than 3 points. They have very few scoring threats and you know exactly how they'll look to score- using their height at set pieces, counter attacks, and knocking it up to the big man Rondon. I trust Conte has prepared us all week for those things and our players don't underestimate West Brom because they probably won't roll over like many small teams do.

I'm not really worried about them when it comes to scoring. I'm more hoping they don't frustrate the fuck out of our attacking players and stifle us to a boring scoreless draw. My wish is that Conte has us on the attack from the opening whistle and we dominate possession. Don't even allow them to think they can get anything from this match.

Maybe he did his homework and watched how we struggle against pressing. He'll probably pack the midfield and test it out from the start. See if he can rattle our boys. If we get an early goal he'll have them back to playing defensively, but I wouldn't be surprised if they have a go from the beginning.

Luiz isn't confirmed out. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't play.

I'm more worried about West Brom than I was about Spurs. At least we knew what to expect with them. West Brom may play like the old Pulis thugs who park the bus or they may come out and actually try to play football like they have on this little run of theirs. This is a classic trap game where everyone expects us to win comfortably but is very dangerous. They'll likely target Cahill by putting Rondon on him and lumping it up to him at every opportunity. If he isn't switched on the whole time West Brom will find joy.

Huge opportunity tomorrow to put some daylight between ourselves and City. Also could see Spurs fall away from any title talk as well if they lose to United.

This is unreal!

I think he'll play. Looked perfectly fine in a video clip from training I saw yesterday.

I don't know if we'll even sign anyone in January. You see the names were linked with like Nainggolan again and the CB Süle from Germany and they're basically the most important players at their clubs. Don't think there's a chance they would consider selling them midseason. I just hope we don't go for another Cuadrado type who comes in, sits on the bench, and fails to settle and we regret buying him.

Am I the only one who interpreted this second quote as a dig at us? I also remember him almost dismissively calling us a counter attacking side either just before or just after we played them.

All of our best players having shockers. Even Kante. We're being ripped to shreds here...

That's what happens when we repeatedly allow De Bruyne and Navas to cross the ball virtually unopposed. We also can't get Pedro or Costa involved at all so they can't trouble the shaky City defense. This could get ugly if we don't adjust.

Oh no... Kante will have one hell of a job on his hands today.