Team News
Sunderland will be without the shy-and-retiring Titus Bramble, Jack Colback and the now-strangely reliable Wes Brown. However, ONeill is spoilt for attacking options, with Frazier Campbell, Conor Wickham and the also shy-and-retiring Nicklas Bendtner all fit and available. On top of that, Sunderland have got the superstar winger James McClean to throw at Chelsea. A defeat for AVB will leave the young manager praying for the problems Martin ONeill had to endure at the start of his spell. With Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba having departed for the Africa Cup of Nations (and if reports are to be believed, Drogba wont be coming back), as well as injuries to Malouda, hardman Ivanovic and the pointless John Obi Mikel, not to mention that old Torres problem, AVB would have loved a quiet build up. But quiet build-ups dont tend to happen that often. Debate as to whether John Terry has more than a niggly knee injury still rage on, but the shy-and-retiring England captain (or ex captain, I struggle to keep up) is declared fit enough to play. Chelsea stalwart Frank Lampard has been the subject of much scrutiny this transfer window, with moves linking him everywhere from West Ham United to Manchester United. He is in the squad for tomorrow. Though whether the Chelsea manager has actually told him is another matter. The two are (supposedly) not on speaking terms. Its not all doom and gloom for Chelsea, however. Daniel Sturridge may also start tomorrow. See? Though they havent signed Gary Cahill in time to register him for the match. Sorry. If there is some sort of consolation for Blues fans, ONeills magic doesnt often work against them. He has won just 3 out of 21 games against Chelsea, but never at Stamford Bridge. Pair that with the fact Chelsea have beaten the Black Cats 13 out of the last 14 times. But it should be pretty straight forward. Right? I mean, its not like Martin ONeill is actually magic