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Sunderland continue their latest attempt at staging a great escape this weekend when Chelsea travel to the Stadium of Light.
Sam Allardyce's side slipped into the Barclays Premier League bottom three last weekend after The Skunks win against Crystal Palace, despite Sunderland snatching a late draw at Stoke City.
One point separates the local rivals, although Sunderland have a game in hand on Rafael Benitez's side.
They may well need it, too, given their disappointing record against Chelsea, the visitors having won nine of their last 11 visits to Wearside, a run that stretches back nearly 16 years.
Despite history appearing to be against them, midfielder Sebastian Larsson is confident that Sunderland, who avoided relegation in the final weeks of last season, can stay in touch with The Skunks by winning on Saturday.
Can Kone prevail over Cahill at the Stadium of Light?
"We've done it (beaten the bigger teams) when we've really had to in previous seasons," he told chelseafc.com. "It's the same again and we have to go for the three points."
"There are three games left and it is in our own hands, but we need to collect as many points as possible to make sure that it remains that way. It's massive for our destiny to be in our own hands at this stage of the season, so hopefully we can get the three points on Saturday and head into the Everton game confident, and win. This would set us up nicely heading into the final weekend."
The Black Cats will need to improve their scoring record at home if they are to claim all three points, though . . . . Sunderland, whose squad are injury free, have failed to find the back of the net in their last three matches at the Stadium of Light !
Battle to avoid relegation set to go to the wire
Chelsea go into the meeting following a rousing late comeback against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, Eden Hazard's strike earning a 2-2 draw that handed Leicester City the Premier League trophy.
After last season's title success, this one has been one of frustration at Stamford Bridge, and Saturday's trip will be Guus Hiddink's penultimate match before he hands over to Antonio Conte. The Dutch coach has no new injury worries ahead of the fixture, with only Loic Remy (groin) and Kurt Zouma (knee) sidelined.
Sunderland (from): Harper, Mannone, Pickford, Brown, Jones, Kaboul, Kirchhoff, Kone, O'Shea, Van Aanholt, Yedlin, Buckley, Cattermole, Khazri, Larsson, M'Vila, Rodwell, Borini, Defoe, Gooch, Lens, N'Doye, Toivonen, Watmore.
Chelsea (from): Amelia, Begovic, Blackman, Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Miazga, Rahman, Terry, Fabregas, Hazard, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Traore, Willian, Costa, Falcao, Kenedy, Pato, Pedro.
Match Officials
Referee: Mike Jones
Linesmen: R. West, M. Scholes
Fourth Official: G. Scott
Match Facts :-
Sunderland last defeated Chelsea at home in the Barclays Premier League back in October, 2000.
Chelsea have won 19 and lost just two of their last 22 Premier League contests with Sunderland.
Cesc Fabregas has scored four Premier League goals against Sunderland, his joint-best haul against any opponent (along with Everton).
Former Blues forward Fabio Borini has scored in two of his three league appearances against Chelsea for Sunderland.
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Sunderland
Manager: Sam Allardyce
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Chelsea
Manager: Guus Hiddink
Sunderland A.F.C. current form
Last six matches
drawn
1 - 1 v Stoke (A) 30th Apr 2016
drawn
0 - 0 v Arsenal (H) 24th Apr 2016
won
0 - 3 v Norwich (A) 16th Apr 2016
lost
0 - 2 v Leicester (H) 10th Apr 2016
drawn
0 - 0 v West Brom (H) 2nd Apr 2016
drawn
1 - 1 v Newcastle (A) 20th Mar 2016
Last win/defeat
won
0 - 3 v Norwich (A) 16th Apr 2016
lost
0 - 2 v Leicester (H) 10th Apr 2016
Chelsea current form
Last six matches
drawn
2 - 2 v Spurs (H) 2nd May 2016
won
1 - 4 v Bournemouth (A) 23rd Apr 2016
lost
0 - 3 v Man City (H) 16th Apr 2016
lost
1 - 0 v Swansea (A) 9th Apr 2016
won
0 - 4 v Aston Villa (A) 2nd Apr 2016
drawn
2 - 2 v West Ham (H) 19th Mar 2016
Last win/defeat
won
1 - 4 v Bournemouth (A) 23rd Apr 2016
lost
0 - 3 v Man City (H) 16th Apr 2016
Last corresponding meeting
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Sat 29th Nov 2014 | Stadium of Light | Attendance: 45,232
Sunderland 0 - 0 Chelsea
Possession
Sunderland 34% Chelsea 66%
Shots on Goal On Target Off Target
Sunderland 3 5 Chelsea 6 8
Fouls Yellow Cards
Sunderland 13 3 Chelsea 10 2
Total 23 5
There you go, lads . . . . I've had a go




