ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - SUNDERLAND V CHELSEA

English Premier

2011-09-10 - Sunderland vs Chelsea

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Match Preview :

Chelsea have not been scoring well as they should be, and in fact this is Chelsea's lowest-scoring start to a season since Jose Mourinho's first season in charge back in 2004/05.

But despite a surprise draw against Stoke at the beginning of the season, they have since managed back to back wins over West Brom and Norwich to go two points behind the two Manchester sides at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Sunderland find themselves in 13th spot having failed to win any of their three outings so far. Ironically, this is just the second time in a Premier League campaign that Sunderland have failed to secure a win in their opening three games, the previous occasion coming in the 2004/05 season.

However, it must be said that the omens does not look good as Sunderland have a poor record against Chelsea having lost 12 of their last 13 league meetings with their opponents, although they did claim a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge last season to the surprise of many.

Team News :

Steve Bruce has a new striker in his side in the form of Arsenal loanee Nicklas Bendtner. But he has just two days of training with the side. Nevertheless, Bendtner is a man in form following his double in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Norway and he could replace Ghanaian ace Asamoah Gyan who is out after damaging his hamstring on international duty with Ghana.

Bruce will no longer have the services of Anton Ferdinand following his deadline day sale to newly-promoted QPR. Defensive duo Titus Bramble and Michael Turner featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly for the club on Wednesday and Bramble is expected to come in for Ferdinand in the side.

New signing Raul Meireles could make his Chelsea debut after his surprise move from Liverpool on transfer deadline day. First-choice keeper Petr Cech, defender David Luiz and striker Daniel Sturridge are all expected to start the match but Ivorian striker Didier Drogba is still recovering from a head injury.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is back sooner than expected from a knee problem, Luiz has recovered from a thigh complaint and Sturridge is available following his three-match ban, while Michael Essien (knee) is a long-term absentee.

French striker Nicolas Anelka is expected to start for Villas-Boas having scored seven goals for the Blues in five league clashes with Sunderland. Big summer signing Juan Mata could also be given his full Premier League debut having made a goalscoring debut off the bench in their 3-1 home win over Norwich.

Possible lineups

Sunderland : Mignolet; Bardsley, Brown, Bramble, Richardson; Larsson, Cattermole, Gardner, Colback; Bendtner, Sessegnon

Chelsea : Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Lampard, Mikel, Malouda; Anelka, Torres

Prediction :

Take Chelsea to win by a 1-0 scoreline here.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Chelsea to win.