Date: Tuesday 17th December Competition: Capital One Cup Quarter Final Venue: Stadium of Light Kick-Off: 19:45 Sunderland and Chelsea go head to head again at The Stadium of Light just 13 days Chelsea won an Eden Hazard inspired 4-3 Chelsea win, this time with a place in the semi-finals of the League Cup up for grabs. Both managers will be looking to add a bit of Christmas cheer in their respective camps, with tough battles at either end of the table coming up, this could prove to be the ultimate test for either side. Gus Poyet has said that a cup win against Chelsea could kick start their campaign:
"I need to take these games seriously, In the last round against Southampton, we played well and we went on to win against Man City. Let's see if we can repeat that and do well and then beat Norwich. Hopefully it's not a crazy game like before, hopefully it's normal. And if we score three we will win the game." (BBC Sport)
Team News
Gus Poyet could give the likes of Charis Mavrias, Cabral, Valentin Roberge and Modibo Diakite a chance to impress him going into a busy Christmas period, but with a place in the final four of the Capital One cup certainly on his mind, an unchanged side from the weekend would seem the most likely selection. Jack Colback misses the game through illness, while Kieren Westwood and Carlos Cuellar. (BBC Sport) Jose Mourinho could also give a selection of fringe players a run out, with the clash with Arsenal at the weekend in mind. Mourinho has already confirmed that Ashley Cole will start the game after being left on the bench in recent weeks, while Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba will be hoping to start up top for the Blues ahead of Fernando Torres. Branislav Ivanovic is suspended for the tie. (Chelsea FC) Key Stats Jose Mourinho has won this trophy twice, in his first debut season as Chelsea manager in 2005 and again in 2007. The Special One has never lost a game in the competition (excluding penalty shootouts) winning 12 and drawing 3 Chelsea have won their last 9 names at the Stadium of Light, and are unbeaten in 10. The only previous League Cup tie between these clubs came in the 1984-85 semi-finals; Sunderland won both legs for an aggregate 5-2 victory. Sunderland beat MK Dons, Peterborough and Southampton on their way to the Quarter finals, all played at home. Chelsea beat Swindon Town and rivals Arsenal to reach this stage. Likely Line-UpsSunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Celustka, Ki, Cattermole, Giaccherini, Larsson, Borini, Altidore Chelsea: Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Essien, Oscar, Mata, Ramires, De Bruyne, Eto'o Prediction Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea
Joseph is a sports journalist, who has previously worked for Sky Sports News, Soccer Saturday, UEFA's coverage of the Champions League and Europa League and The London 2012 Olympic Games, as well as football clubs such as FC Halifax Town, Corby Town and Crystal Palace FC.
