Chelsea v Sunderland
Saturday December 19, 15:00 GMT
Saturday December 19, 15:00 GMT
Chelsea
Ding dong, the witch is dead! Well, that will apparently be the view of most of the Chelsea players and the rest of their employees following the sacking of Jose Mourinho on Thursday.
He probably had to go, but the players themselves should also be embarrassed with how they played for him at times. The general assumption is that the reigning champs will now play like they did when walking their way to the title last year, but I'm not convinced.
The Blues were beaten for a ninth time in 16 matches on Monday and they hover just one point above the relegation zone. They have lost five of their last eight and were beaten 1-0 by Bournemouth when they were last on this ground.
Sunderland
Things are just as bleak at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland are only being kept off the bottom of the table by the embarrassment that is Aston Villa.
The performances and results have improved since Sam Allardyce was appointed to save the day, but they have now lost their last two - the most recent being at home to Watford.
They have shown their ability to grind out a result away from home on one occasion though and that came at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace are sixth in the table and the Black Cats managed to frustrate them to eventually win 1-0, and Big Sam will be dreaming of something similar here.
Match Odds
Chelsea 1.33 Sunderland 12.00 The Draw 5.80
It doesn't matter who is in charge for this match, I can't be having Chelsea at 1.33. They haven't shown anywhere near enough this season to warrant that price, even if the players are now happy again.
Diego Costa won't be any fitter, John Terry won't be any faster and Cesc Fabregas won't suddenly be able to suddenly play killer passes again. The truth of the matter is that this Chelsea team is stale and they could even be affected negatively by sections of the crowd getting on their backs - especially if they don't score in the first 15 minutes.
I wouldn't touch the match odds market with a bargepole and I would think twice about including Chelsea in your accas as well.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Over 2.5 Goals 1.86 Under 2.5 Goals 2.14
I'm quite surprised that under 2.5 goals is the outsider here as the hosts have only scored 18 times this term and Sunderland are almost guaranteed to park the bus.
The Blues haven't scored more than twice in any home Premier League fixture this year and they've netted just two in their last three outings in front of their own fans.
Sunderland have been shipping a fair few goals on their travels but they will just sit deep at the Bridge with at least nine men behind the ball. Unless Chelsea suddenly find the ability to unlock defences again, I have this down as an 'unders' certainty.
Half Time
While I wasn't overly keen to get involved in the match-odds market, I do quite like the look of the half time result offerings. I expect a bright opening spell from Chelsea but if they fail to break Sunderland down early on, the crowd will grow frustrated and doubts will return to the minds of the champions.
You can get 2.66 for the game to be level at the break - a selection that would have landed in half a dozen of Chelsea's home matches this Premier League season.
Cash Out
If all things go according to plan then the price of a 0-0 correct score will shorten quite considerably from the current offer of 15.00. That really is too big in my book, despite Sunderland's shaky defence.
Hopefully it will trade much shorter in-play and we can lock in a profit even if there are goals in the final 20 minutes or so.
Recommended Bets
Back Under 2.5 goals @ 2.14
Back a Draw at Half Time @ 2.66
Best Cash Out
Back a 0-0 correct score @ 15.00
