Sunderland have picked up two wins from their last 10 Premier League games against Chelsea, but last time out they did emerge victorious on a dramatic afternoon at the Stadium of Light.
The Blues struck first but the Black Cats battled back as Wahbi Khazri’s goal of the season contender levelled matters, and although the visitors retook the lead before the break they were powerless to prevent the lively Lads as goals from Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe sealed a 3-2 win.
Defoe is the only player to have scored against Chelsea for four different Premier League clubs – West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth and the Black Cats.
And the 34-year-old has been pivotal during the current campaign, playing a part in 71% of Sunderland’s Premier League goals (8 goals, 2 assists).
Like Defoe, Borini also enjoys playing against his former club and he’s found the net against the Blues on four occasions – all for Sunderland – since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2011.
Last season the Italian scored in both Premier League games against Chelsea and he’s expected to make his first appearance since August when Antonio Conte’s side come to town.
The Blues have a marksman of their own, however, and as it stands there is no better in the Premier League with Diego Costa netting 12 goals and posting five assists.
Only two teams – Manchester United and Arsenal – have stopped the Spaniard from scoring or assisting this season.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are searching for their tenth consecutive Premier League win and they are unbeaten in their last 15 league games played on a Wednesday, last losing to QPR in January 2013.
The Blues haven’t lost successive top-flight games against Sunderland since March 2001, with 111 goals scored in just 30 PL games between the sides, averaging 3.7 goals per game.
