Premier League betting – Chelsea vs Sunderland

Chelsea vs Sunderland betting preview

Chelsea: League Position: 1st, League Form: DWWLW

League leaders have been playing below average lately, yet they’ve not moved from 1st spot in the table and are still four points clear. Even in their one defeat over the past five games they did everything but score against Liverpool. Their run of poor form has coincided with Didier Drogba’s indifferent performances, which can now be put down to malaria. Having now been treated, expect the usual snarling Drogba to return.

Chelsea have to handle the continued absence of Frank Lampard, who this week injured himself further in training and faces a further three weeks out, and must now go forward without Michael Essien for three matches after his midweek red card. With Anelka a doubt too, Chelsea must show the strength of their squad as the games come thick and fast.

Unfortunately for the other sides in the league, they do have players capable of filling the void.

Sunderland: League Position: 8th, League Form: DWLWD

At home, Sunderland have held the best teams in the league. But away from home, they’re capable of losing 5-1 to rivals Newcastle. As big a threat as Andy Carroll is, he’s not Didier Drogba just yet.

Steve Bruce’s side are capable of breaking into Europe this year, and also capable of getting involved in a relegation fight. It’s hard to track the progress the side has made since Bruce took over. They’ve spent a good chunk of money and pose a threat to every side in the league, yet they can’t consistently perform and the team Bruce has built must face serious scrutiny if they fall to the lower half of the table again come the end of the season.

Star player and top goalscorer Darren Bent is out, but Ghanaian World Cup star Asamoah Gyan has stepped up fantastically with three goals in his last two games. He’s the real quality player than can threaten Chelsea in this match, but he lacks support and could find this a frustrating tie.

Match Prediction: Chelsea Win

Sunderland are strong enough at home to frustrate and deny Chelsea over 90 minutes, but Stamford Bridge is a whole different prospect for sides like Sunderland. Yet to concede at home and averaging just under 3 goals a game, Chelsea are unstoppable on their own ground.

Although saved midweek by Michael Essien, who was later dismissed for a reckless challenge, it’s the ability of one player to win a match for the Champions, an ability that is available across the pitch from many world class players. And more than any team in the Premiership, they can grind out wins against the sternest defences and on their own poorest days.

All this against a Sunderland side yet to win away from home this year, having scored only 12 goals home and away so far, compared to the 17 Chelsea have put away in front of their own fans, plus another 11 on the road.

Whilst Drogba slowly finds his rhythm again, it’s been a couple of weeks since Malouda ran a game like he did as the season got under way. With injuries and suspensions all over the park, Chelsea may need Malouda to step again. An attacking threesome of Malouda, Drogba and Kalou will definitely get chances however the game goes.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 goals – 1.62 Victor Chandler
First Goalscorer: Malouda – 6.5 Bet 365
Correct Score: 3-0 Chelsea – 8.00 Victor Chandler

Match Odds:-

Chelsea – 1.25 Paddy Power,
Draw – 6.5 Bet Fred
Sunderland – 17.00 Stan James

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