A couple of months ago Chelsea would have been a lot shorter than the 1.4 on offer for them to beat Sunderland at the Bridge this weekend, but the arrival of Martin O’Neill has now made this a potentially tough game for the Blues.Since O’Neill took over the Black Cats they have looked a different outfit and have won five out of seven games
They were 18th when O’Neill selected his first Sunderland side and they are now 10th and looking solid. having at one time looking to be relegation material they are now looking pretty certain of a top half finish.
However if the form book is anything to go by an on-form Chelsea side such prove too strong for them and be able to bag all three points.
The Blues have won 13 of their last 14 games against the Cats, netting a total of 40 goals in the process.
Until last season, when Sunderland stuck three past Peter Cech without reply, the visitors had lost 11 in a row against Chelsea.
OK, Chelsea have only won four of their last nine home games across all competitions but AVB knows that his job is at risk unless they get things back on track quickly.
He will be buoyed by the news that both Terry and Sturridge have been passed fit, and despite the fact that they will be without Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba due to Africa Cup Nations commitments the gaffer has enough talent at his disposal to put out a side who can grind out a vital victory.
So who will be the Chelsea player that will hopefully find the breakthrough?
I like the look of the 5 on offer with Paddy Power for Sturridge to net the opener with a small saver on Meireles at 15 with bet365.
Chelsea to win 2-1 is my idea of the outcome, and that scoreline can be backed at 8.5 with bet365.