Closed Sunderland v Chelsea

[Phil Driver 503]

Impossible to pick a team because rotation is the name of the game at the moment,but we need to win and whoever is picked needs to perform and secure the win however it is achieved ,long ball ,great football,kicking match, whatever is served up over the christmas period you need to deal with it and come away with the points if you want to win the league.

We have not been up to it in recent seasons, I am sure Jose knows what to expect and has the experience to deal with the different challenges this period brings .

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Torres to start this one and then bring in Ba for Stoke.

Ba's pretty much the perfect #3 striker, offers something completely different.

Absolutely. Turned the tide against the Southampton game. Solid striker.

Lukaku-Torres-Ba for next year looks pretty decent.

[aerlgenx 49]

I would start Ba against Stoke.

=)

[Sidzeret 2,257]

This is not aired in India, not even on delay. Star Sports have six channels and they only show three matches. annoying.

Fucking assholes.

Sometimes they really get on my nerves. They'll probably be airing some shit old cricket game dieing the match.

[Starman60 1,343]

exact same thing could be said about Ba

Yes true, but I'm just a bit of a Torres lover after his Barca goal

Ba has yet to really impress me to that extent

[kaka 3]

Cech

azpili-cahill-terry-cole

Ramires- Mikel

schurrle- Mata -Hazard

ba

[The_Flash 1,144]

Is the game not on live in uk?

[Kieran. 6,317]

Cech

Azpi Cahill Terry Cole

Mikel Ramires

Willian Mata Schurrle

Torres

It'd be interesting to see Mata between the players who give us the most width.

[Mustafa 885]

I've got to the point where I dont really know what to expect from us. Like always tho, 3 points ! Preferably a comfortable win with the game killed off in the first half.

I reckon Ba might play.

Also, Eto'o might make a "surprise return" tomorrow. Dont know if i fancy him tho. Nando or Ba I reckon will do the trick.

Preferred Starting XI : Cech; Azpi, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Ramires, Willian, Mata, Schurrle; Torres

[Kieran. 6,317]

I didn't realize Sunderland have won three home games in a row. A little more difficult than I expected, here's to hoping their strikeforce continues to be absolute shit.

[Special Juan 28,141]

Game day......Carefreeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Loud and proud from the stand of The Stadium Of Light tonight!!!

[DanishBlue 426]

I find it hard to understand how some people think that we will kill the game off in the first half..

How often do we do that? It's more normal for us to be behind with a goal at halftime.

I predict a very hard game for us, even though it shouldn't be. But if you can't win against the likes of WBA, Newcastle and Basel (2 times) it's better to be realistic.

[Reddish-Blue 2,509]

If we play like we did against Newcastle...I fully expect Sunderland to get 3 points.

Hope the players don't get complacent

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I didn't realize Sunderland have won three home games in a row. A little more difficult than I expected, here's to hoping their strikeforce continues to be absolute shit.

They haven't. They only have 8 points

[yuvala 2,167]

I actually feel like we'll continue our good form this time. The moral is really high and if Mou picks the right players (non-tired ones) then I reckon we'll win this one.

For me, Mata deserves a start, and Oscar really needs a rest anyways. Hazard is always playing so.. I guess he'll play today too. Then we have Schurrle, Willian or KDB - we all know that KDB probably wont start so I'll probably go with Schurrle, he hasn't played in a while now.

Torres or Ba, whoever fits Mou's plan for this game.

[Thendo 1,088]

They haven't. They only have 8 points

I think they won the league cup game vs Southampton at home aswell as the Newcaste and City games.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I think they won the league cup game vs Southampton at home aswell as the Newcaste and City games.

Yes, you're right.

[DanishBlue 426]

I would love to see Hazard - Mata - Willian as I think it's our most dangerous players attacking wise.

I would also start with Ba. Hazard, Mata and Willian should be able to make things happen and maybe score some goals but if they don't score Ba has a pretty good presence in the box and a plan B could be a lot of balls in the box to let Ba finish off.

I like the mix of small, fast players who can dribble and a big african with muscles in the box (I miss Drogba btw).

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Match Preview Here

[Spike 12,049]

Quite frankly it's begginning to annoy me that all the games have been on working days for me, Mr. Shankly.