A Chelsea Win at Sunderland Would Pile Pressure on the Bottom

Another international break is looming, and you know what that means: a Sunday afternoon at the Stadium of Light where the home fans will be praying for a miracle. Chelsea are the visitors, and the Black Cats are staring up at the rest of the league. According to the league's published figures, Sunderland sit 20th with just five points from eleven games. That's grim reading if you're of a red-and-white persuasion.

I've been to Sunderland away before. The trip is a proper pain in the neck, but the atmosphere when the home crowd gets going is something else. Still, I can't see past a comfortable away win here. The Blues have too much quality, and Sunderland's defence has more holes than a colander.

A Chelsea Win at Sunderland Would Pile Pressure on the Bottom

The player who decides it: Cole Palmer runs the show

Let's be honest, Cole Palmer is the man. He's been Chelsea's best player this season, and I fancy him to run riot against a Sunderland midfield that lacks legs. Pundits expect him to start centrally, and that's where he'll hurt the Black Cats. He's got that knack of arriving in the box at the right time, and Sunderland's backline has been guilty of ball-watching all year.

Palmer's numbers speak for themselves. According to Opta, he's created more chances than any other Chelsea player this season, and he's chipped in with a few goals as well. If Sunderland give him half a yard on the edge of the box, he'll punish them. I'm calling it now: he gets a goal and an assist.

And it's not just Palmer. Chelsea's front line has pace to burn, and Sunderland's full-backs are going to have nightmares. The home side will sit deep, but that only invites pressure. I wouldn't be surprised to see Raheem Sterling or Noni Madueke get in behind. But Palmer is the key.

Form check: Chelsea ticking along, Sunderland sinking

Chelsea's form has been patchy, but they're still in the top half. The league table shows them on 18 points from eleven games, which isn't terrible considering the chaos of the last few years. They've won three of their last five, and the only defeat in that run was a narrow one away at a top-four side. That's the kind of consistency they've lacked.

Sunderland, on the other hand, are in freefall. They've lost their last four, and they've conceded at least two goals in each of those defeats. The manager is under pressure, and you can hear the grumbles from the stands. I've seen this movie before: a newly promoted side starts okay, then the wheels come off in November. The Stadium of Light holds 49,000, and you can bet your bottom dollar there'll be a few empty seats by the 70th minute if Chelsea score early.

The number that explains this fixture: 5 points from 11 games

Five points from eleven games. That's Sunderland's tally so far, and it's the reason they're rooted to the bottom. For context, the last team to be relegated with fewer than 20 points was Derby County in 2007-08, and they had seven points at this stage. Sunderland are on course for a historically bad season unless something changes fast.

Chelsea, by contrast, have scored 20 goals in eleven games, which is the fourth-best attacking record in the division. The contrast is stark. Sunderland have scored just eight goals all season, and only two of those have come at home. If you're a Black Cats fan, that stat alone should have you worried.

I know ticket prices are a sore subject for fans, and Sunderland's aren't cheap. But honestly, you'd have to pay me to watch that attack at the moment. Chelsea's defence has been leaky too, but they should have enough to keep a clean sheet here.

THE CALL: Chelsea win, and it won't be close

I'm calling it: Chelsea win 3-0. Sunderland will huff and puff, but they won't blow the house down. The Blues will dominate possession, Palmer will pull the strings, and the home crowd will turn. It's a sad state of affairs, but that's football.

Don't get me started on the state of Sunderland's recruitment. They spent big in the summer on players who haven't delivered, and now they're paying the price. Chelsea, for all their flaws, have a squad that should be challenging for Europe. This is a mismatch on paper, and I expect it to be a mismatch on the pitch.

So there you go. Chelsea to win, and Sunderland to stay bottom. The only question is how many they'll get.

Chelsea win 3-0.

What time is Sunderland vs Chelsea kick-off?

Kick-off times can vary, so check your local listings. I haven't seen confirmed scheduling details yet.

Where is the match being played?

The game is at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland's home ground.

Who is the favourite to win?

Chelsea are the clear favourites given Sunderland's poor form, and most pundits expect an away victory.

Is Cole Palmer likely to start?

Palmer has been a key player for Chelsea, so he's expected to feature from the start, but nothing is confirmed.

What are Sunderland's chances of staying up?

They're in serious trouble. With only five points from eleven games, they need a dramatic turnaround to avoid relegation.