Sunderland return to Wearside on Wednesday night when they host Chelsea in the Premier League (KO 7.45pm).
The first game in a Stadium of Light double-header, the Black Cats will be aiming to bounce back from a frustrating defeat in South Wales which saw Swansea City clinch three points at the Liberty Stadium.
Defeat saw David Moyes’ side return to the bottom of the table but their recent form remains positive, with the Black Cats picking up three wins from their last five games.
Now, their manager has challenged them to go on a similar run and pick up points over a challenging festive schedule.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table having picked up nine consecutive Premier League wins.
Antonio Conte’s side haven’t lost since September when Arsenal defeated the Blues at the Emirates Stadium, with the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton brushed aside.
West Ham United were the last side to defeat Chelsea in any competition with the Hammers earning a 2-1 win in the EFL Cup, but it proved little more than a blip and they were without key players Eden Hazard and Diego Costa.
The duo have been simply unstoppable this season and returned to the heights which saw them fire the Blues to the title during the 2014-15 season, with Costa scoring 12 Premier League goals already while also contributing five assists.
Hazard, meanwhile, has found the net on eight occasions while providing one assist, but he will miss out and won’t travel to the Stadium of Light.
But Sunderland also have goals in their arsenal and one man in particular has a track record at making Chelsea feel blue.
Jermain Defoe tops the Black Cats’ scoring charts with eight goals and he’s the only player in Premier League history to score against Chelsea for four different teams.
The 34-year-old has played a part in 71% of Sunderland’s Premier League goals this season and, just like strike partner Victor Anichebe, will be vital to success against the Blues.
Lee Cattermole, Paddy McNair, Duncan Watmore and Lynden Gooch will once again miss out with Jack Rodwell also a ‘couple of weeks’ away from returning according to Sunderland manager Moyes.
And there could be further absentees on Wednesday evening, but for now the Scotsman isn’t giving anything away.
Like Hazard, John Terry and Oscar are also expected to miss the game.
Make sure you don’t miss any of the drama this Wednesday by securing your seat for the first of two consecutive games at the Stadium of Light – click here to purchase or for more information.
If you can’t make the game, then don’t fear because we have every base covered with extensive coverage on safc.com and on Twitter by following @SunderlandAFC.
Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be ON AIR from 7pm.