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Sunderland may lie in 14th place with two wins all season but tomorrow evening’s game is another good test of whether Chelsea really can go the entire Premier League campaign unbeaten.
The Black Cats beat Jose Mourinho’s side twice last season (including in the Capital One Cup) and were narrowly defeated in a seven-goal thriller in the corresponding fixture.
Chelsea will look to extend their lead at the top with no major injury concerns, aside from Nathan Ake’s hamstring problem.
Teams in full...
Sunderland Starting XI: Pantilimon, Vergini, O’Shea, Brown, Reveillere, Larsson, Cattermole, Rodwell, Johnson, Fletcher, Wickham.
Substitutes: Mannone, Coates, Bridcutt, Gomez, Alvarez, Buckley, Altidore.
Chelsea Starting XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa.
Substitutes: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Schurrle, Remy, Drogba.
Speaking to Standard Sport after the midweek victory over Schalke, full back Cesar Azpilicueta heaped praise on compatriot Cesc Fabregas and the start he's made to life at Chelsea.
"He has adapted really well," Azpilicueta told Standard Sport. "I obviously knew him from the national team. We play in a different way there, but since he came to Chelsea the team is very comfortable with him. He's doing amazing passes, he sees the play before everyone. We are benefiting from his quality.
"He is a massive player for us and is the type that can make the difference against Sunderland this time. He is an important player for the team."
